Transesterification of Cyclic Carbonates to Dimethyl Carbonate Using Solid Oxide Catalyst at Ambient Conditions: Environmentally Benign Synthesis

Continuous synthesis at ambient conditions: Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an important methylating and carbonylating agent. Transesterification of cyclic carbonates using methanol for the synthesis of DMC is environmentally benign. CaO–ZnO catalysts, prepared by a wet impregnation method, are effective catalysts for the transesterification of ethylene carbonate using methanol in batch and in continuous reactors. Yields of ca. 84 % DMC can be achieved at ambient conditions.