| BA | Brönsted acid; |
| MA | methyl acetate; |
| H-FER | the acidic zeolite ferrierite; |
| SMS or ZO-CH3 | surface methoxy species on zeolites; |
| DME | dimethyl ether; |
| DMO+ | dimethyl oxonium ion; |
| TMO+ | trimethyl oxonium ion; |
| CH3OH2+ | methoxonium ion; |
| ∆E≠ | the activation of internal energy. |