Methyl tert-butyl ether (abbreviated and known as MTBE) is a volatile, flammable, and colourless liquid that is manufactured by the chemical reaction of methanol and isobutylene. MTBE is a blending component of gasoline, used as an oxygenate to raise the octane number and to replace lead.
MTBE is used as a fuel component in fuel for gasoline engines. It is one of a group of chemicals commonly known as oxygenates because they raise the oxygen content of gasoline.