Gasoline production. [high octane number]

A process for producing a high-octane gasoline having reduced smog-forming tendencies is described, which comprises: thermally dehydrogenating-cracking isobutane to obtain propylene and isobutene; hydrating propylene to obtain isopropanol; etherating the isopropanol with the isobutene to obtain t-butyl isopropyl ether; and blending the t-butyl isopropyl ether with gasoline-boiling-range hydrocarbons. Preferably the thermal dehydrogenation is carried out under conditions, specifically including a temperature between about 1125 and 1275/sup 0/F., to produce a molar ratio of isobutene to propylene between 1.0 and 1.25. (auth)