Effect of Dehydration on DMC Synthesis over Ceria Catalysts

In this study, ceriabased catalysts were prepared for dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis and reaction conditions were evaluated for finding the optimal reaction route. In order to find optimal catalysts for DMC synthesis, calcination temperature and Cu(II) impregnation amount were evaluated. The oxidative carbonylation using methanol, carbon monoxide and oxygen and the direct synthesis using methanol and carbon dioxide were introduced for producing DMC. Following the law of Le Chatelier, the dehydration reaction was applied for enhancing the reactivity (methanol conversion) as removing water during the reaction. 2-cyanopyridine, as a chemical dehydration agent, was used. In the case of the oxidative carbonylation, methanol conversion rate increased from 15.1% to 38.7% and the DMC selectivity increased from 0% to 98.8%. In the case of the direct synthesis, methanol conversion rate increased from 1.0% to 77.8% and the DMC selectivity increased from 41.2% to 100.0%.