Abstract: A method for producing dialkyl ethers comprising feeding a stream containing a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alcohol to a distillation column reactor into a feed zone, contacting the stream with a fixed bed zeolite prepared as a distillation structure to form the corresponding dialkyl ether and water, and concurrently fractionating the ether product from the water and unreacted materials wherein the improvement is the addition of a small amount of hydrogen to the reaction zone to inhibit catalyst fouling and substantially increasing the catalyst life and activity.

Abstract: A process for the amination of aliphatic alkane derivatives such as alcohols (mono and polyhydric) which uses catalytic distillation to take advantage of the condensing distillate within the distillation reaction zone in the distillation column reactor. The operation of the distillation column reactor results in both a liquid and vapor phase within the distillation reaction zone. The catalyst is prepared in the form of a distillation structure. The reaction is carried out in a distillation column reactor at a low hydrogen partial pressure, e.g. in the range of 0.1 psia to less than 10 psia.