Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (dmc) from co2, ethylene oxide and methanol using heterogeneous anion exchange resins as catalysts

Abstract

A two-step synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from ethylene oxide (EO), carbon dioxide and methanol using heterogeneous anion exchange resins as catalysts is reported. The first step is the reaction of EO with CO2 to form ethylene carbonate (EC), and the second one the transesterification of EC with methanol to yield DMC. Effect of various reaction parameters on the activity and selectivity of the catalysts used was investigated. After the first step, the crude mixture containing EC was directly reacted with methanol in the presence of a heterogeneous anion exchange resin catalyst to produce DMC in high yield and selectivity. Our process is highly economic. © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest. All rights reserved.