Process for producing an ether compound

PCT No. PCT/JP96/01056 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 20, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 20, 1997 PCT Filed Apr. 18, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/33154 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 24, 1996A process for producing an ether compound represented by the general formula (II) or (III): wherein R1 and R2 represent each an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group and n represents an integer of 1 to 50, which comprises bringing an acetal compound represented by the general formula (I): into reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a solid catalyst comprising (A) nickel in an amount corresponding to 10 to 70% by weight of metallic nickel, and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxides of silicon, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and zirconium; and synthetic or natural inorganic oxides containing one or more of these oxides as the constituents thereof. A vinyl ether polymer having a terminal ether group can be obtained with a good yield without causing corrosion of the apparatus used for the reaction.