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Hydrogen chloride catalyses the decomposition of t-butyl ethyl ether at 320-428�. Isobutene is quantitatively the product and the kinetic form is first order in the ether and in hydrogen chloride. The Arrhenius equation:��������� k, = 1012'16exp( -30,60O/RT) (sec-l ml mole-=) is followed. The mechanism of the reaction seems similar to those of other hydrogen halide catalysed decompositions of ethers and alcohols.

The decomposition of t-butyl methyl ether catalysed by hydrogen chloride takes place at 337-428�. It is first order in each reactant and the rate is not affected by increase in surface area or inhibitor. The rate equation is: K2 = 1012.46exp(-32100/RT) (sec-l ml mole-l) The reaction is believed to be molecular and its properties are in accord with those of other such catalysed decompositions.

The hydrogen bromide catalysed decomposition of t-butyl ethyl ether takes place at 263-337�. Two major reactions occur, one producing isobutene by kinetics first order in each reactant, and the other isobutane by kinetics first order in the ether and zero order in hydrogen bromide. The latter is extensively inhibited by cyclohexene and is a radical chain reaction; the former is not inhibited and is presumably molecular, and on this basis its properties form a smooth sequence with those of other similar hydrogen halide catalysed decompositions.