SYNTHESIS OF DIMETHYL CARBONATE FROM METHANOL AND PROPYLENE CARBONATE

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) has attracted much attention in terms of a substitute for highly toxic phosgene and dimethyl sulfate in the organic synthesis. Additionally, DMC is considered to be an option for meeting the oxygenate specification of liguid fuel. In this paper, the solid base catalysts are used for DMC synthesis via the ester exchange reaction between propylene carbonate and methanol. Na 2CO 3/ZrO 2 catalysts were prepared by impregnating ZrO 2 support with sodium carbonate aqueous solution followed by drying and calcinating in air. The catalysts characterization by TPD, BET and XRD indicated that the total amount of basic active sites on the catalysts were important for ester exchange reaction of methanol and propylene carbonate. The surface area and pore volume of the supports effected slightly on the catalytic performance. Na 2CO 3/ZrO 2 catalyst showed highest activity (PC conversion 45.43%, DMC yield 40.30%) comparing to Na 2CO 3/MgO due to its stronger basicity as well as more basic sites. The optimum calcined temperature and Na 2CO 3 content are 873?K and 25?w /% respectively.