MTBE is a gasoline additive. MTBE is manufactured via the chemical reaction of methanol and isobutylene. Methanol is derived from natural gas, and isobutylene is derived from butane obtained from crude oil or natural gas, thus MTBE is derived from fossil fuels.
MTBE is mainly used for the following:
- Octane booster in gasoline
- Solvent (peroxide free ether) in industry and laboratory for reactions (e.g. Grignard), Extraction, Crystallisation, HPLC, etc.