Peter, A.A.PeterFehr, S.M.S.M.FehrDybbert, V.V.DybbertHimmel, D.D.HimmelLindner, I.I.LindnerJacob, E.E.JacobSalem, OudaOudaSalemSchaadt, AchimAchimSchaadtWhite, Robin J.Robin J.WhiteScherer, H.H.SchererKrossing, IngoIngoKrossing2022-03-052022-03-052018https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/25650410.1002/anie.201802247Oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMEn; CH3(‐OCH2‐)nO‐CH3, n=3-5) are a novel class of sustainable synthetic fuels, which are of increasing interest due to their soot‐free combustion. Herein a novel anhydrous OMEn synthesis route is presented. Catalyzed by trimethyloxonium salts, dimethoxymethane takes up monomeric gaseous formaldehyde instantaneously and forms high purity OMEn at temperatures of 25-30 °C. This new anhydrous approach using molecular formaldehyde and catalytic amounts of highly active trimethyloxonium salts represents a promising new step towards a sustainable formation of OMEn emanating from CO2 and H2.en621540697journal article