Progress and prospect of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether(PODEn) are ideal novel green oxygenated diesel blending compounds, which can not only utilize the excess methanol in China but also relieve the air pollution of haze. The present work provided an overview of the progress of PODEn research in China and abroad, with the focus on the research background and significance, advantages of PODEn, properties and quantitatively analysis methods, synthesis methods, process and reactor instruments. Meanwhile, the industrialization status of PODEn were introduced followed by a summarization of the characteristics of different technologies and processes. Finally, potential applications of PODEn were analyzed, and it is prospected that they are favorable to be used as diesel blending compounds, solvents or low temperature flow improver for diesel fuel. © 2016, Chemical Industry Press. All right reserved.