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

Summary 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.     

Research Progress in the Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from CO2 and Methanol

The direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO₂ and methanol is one attractive way for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission and the utilization of carbon resources. Recent progress in the direct synthesis of DMC from CO₂ and methanol is reviewed with the focus on the catalyst systems, including organic metal compounds catalyst, base catalyst, acetate catalyst, metal oxide and supported metal oxide catalysts, heteropolyacid catalyst and photocatalyst. Moreover, the application of supercritical system, ionic liquid system, electrochemical system, membrane reactor and nitriles hydration in the direct synthesis of DMC are also introduced. Finally, future research direction in this area is proposed.     

Synthesis of methyl acetoacetate from acetone and dimethyl carbonate with alkali-promoted MgO catalysts

The synthesis of methyl acetoacetate (MAA) by methoxycarbonylation of acetone with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was carried out in the presence of MgO and alkali-promoted MgO catalysts. From among Li, Na, K, and Cs, potassium was found to be the most effective promoter to improve the activity of MgO. The effect of K/MgO with variable content of K was also investigated, and the individual catalysts were characterised by the XRD, BET, SEM, CO₂-TPD, and in situ CO₂ IR techniques. The results showed that the addition of a small amount of K (1.97 mass %) could promote MAA formation, but a higher K loading caused a decrease in the yield of MAA, which might result from particle agglomeration and the presence of stable potassium carbonates. In situ FTIR experiments of co-adsorbed reactants indicated that the reaction probably proceeded via abstraction of H_α from acetone by base sites.     

Critical temperatures and pressures of reacting mixture in synthesis of dimethyl carbonate with methanol and carbon dioxide

Critical temperatures and pressures of nominal reacting mixture in synthesis of dimethyl carbonate （DMC） from methanol and carbon dioxide （quaternary mixture of carbon dioxide ＋ methanol ＋ water ＋ DMC） were measured using a high-pressure view cell. The results suggested that the critical properties of the reacting mixture depended on the reaction extent as well as its initial composition （initial ratio of carbon dioxide to methanol）. Such information is essential for determining the reaction conditions when one intends to carry out the synthesis of DMC with CO2 and methanol under supercritical conditions.     

甲醇和碳酸丙烯酯合成碳酸二甲酯的研究

采用浸渍法以ZrO2为载体，以碱金属氢氧化物和碳酸盐为前驱体制备了不同的固体碱催化剂，在温和反应条件下考察了催化剂的酯交换扳应性能，并通过BET、XRD和CO2－TPD等方法对催化剂进行了表征，结果表明：Na2CO3负载到不同载体上，其催化性能明显不同，Na2CO3/ZrO2催化剂获得了较高的酯交换活性。载体的比表面和孔结构与催化剂的反应活性无一定的依存关系。而催化剂表面的酸碱性是影响酯交换活性的重要因素。     

KOH/4A分子筛催化剂对环氧丙烷、二氧化碳和甲醇合成碳酸二甲酯反应的催化性能

 首次开发出对环氧丙烷、二氧化碳和甲醇合成碳酸二甲酯反应具有较高活性和稳定性的KOH/4A分子筛固体催化剂,考察了反应温度和催化剂活性组分KOH的负载量等因素对催化剂性能的影响. 在优化的实验条件下,环氧丙烷可以完全转化,碳酸二甲酯的收率为168%. 从实验结果推测,产物碳酸二甲酯是由环氧丙烷和二氧化碳加成生成碳酸丙烯酯,然后与甲醇发生酯交换反应生成的,甲醇对环氧丙烷和二氧化碳合成碳酸丙烯酯反应具有助催化作用.     

PdCl2-catalyzed heterocyclotrimerization in MeOH/scCO2: A versatile approach to dimethyl pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate from methyl acrylate and urea

A novel and green method for the synthesis of dimethyl pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate has been developed. It is PdCl₂-catalyzed heterocyclotrimerization of methyl acrylate with urea in methanol/supercritical carbon dioxide. The target compound was obtained with a 75% isolated yield under the optimized conditions.     

Direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide using heteropolyoxometalates: the effects of cation and addenda atoms

The direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and carbon dioxide over a series of Keggin-type heteropolyoxometalates has been investigated. The effects of the cations and the addenda atoms of the heteropolyoxometalate on the conversion and the product selectivities were investigated. The results showed that Co_1.5PW₁₂O₄₀ was the best catalyst of the series. The effect of reaction temperature and CO₂ pressure on the direct synthesis of DMC demonstrated that lower temperatures and higher pressures are favorable for the synthesis of DMC. Higher temperatures favor the formation of dimethoxymethane (DMM) and methyl formate (MF).     

Vapor Phase Carbonylation Reactions Using Methyl Nitrite Over Pd Catalysts

Vapor phase carbonylation reactions using methyl nitrite (MN) as an oxidant have been developed by Ube Industries, Ltd. Dimethyl oxalate (DMO) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) are synthesized efficiently over Pd(0) and Pd(II) catalysts under mild condition in gas phase, respectively. In these synthesis procedures, two kinds of separate reactions are involved. The first reaction is the catalytic synthesis of DMO or DMC from MN and CO; and the second reaction is non-catalytic MN synthesis from methanol, O₂ and NO, which is produced from the first reaction. The high DMO or DMC selectivity and suppression of catalyst deactivation originate from the facts that O₂ is not involved and H₂O is not produced in the first reaction.     

PdCl2-catalyzed heterocyclotrimerization in MeOH/scCO2: A versatile approach to dimethyl pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate from methyl acrylate and urea

A novel and green method for the synthesis of dimethyl pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate has been developed. It is PdCl₂-catalyzed heterocyclotrimerization of methyl acrylate with urea in methanol/supercritical carbon dioxide. The target compound was obtained with a 75% isolated yield under the optimized conditions. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20332030, 20572027, 20625205 and 20772034) and Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 07118070)     

Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from Methanol and Carbon Dioxide Catalyzed by Potassium Hydroxide under Mild Conditions

The synthesis of dimethyl carbonate （DMC） from methanol and carbon dioxide using potassium hydroxide as catalyst in the presence of CH3I and the effect of ionic liquid on the reaction were investigated. The results showed that KOH is an effective catalyst; the high selectivity and raised yield of DMC formation under mild conditions were achieved. However, the addition of the ionic liquid, l-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide （emimBr）, can evidently accelerate the conversion of methanol and yield of the product.     

Carbon dioxide conversion to dimethyl carbonate: The effect of silica as support for SnO2 and ZrO2 catalysts

Abundant in nature, CO₂ poses few health hazards and consequently is a promising alternative to phosgene feedstock according with the principles of Green Chemistry and Engineering. The synthesis organic carbonates from CO₂ instead of phosgene is highly challenging as CO₂ is much less reactive. As part of our ongoing research on the investigation of catalysts for dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis from methanol and CO₂, we herein report results aimed at comparing the catalytic behavior of new SnO₂-based catalysts with that of ZrO₂. Silica-supported SnO₂ and ZrO₂ exhibit turnover numbers which are an order of magnitude higher than those of the unsupported oxides. Tin-based catalysts also promote methanol dehydration which makes them less selective than the zirconium analogues. Last but not least, comparison with soluble Bu₂Sn(OCH₃)₂ highlights the superiority of the organometallic precursor for achieving 100% selectivity to DMC but it deactivates by intermolecular rearrangement into polynuclear tin species.     

Synthesis and characterization of bis[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzoato]nickel(II), and its use for preparation of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and CO2

A new complex, bis[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzoato]nickel(II) (NiL₂), has been synthesized and characterized. It was used as catalyst for synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and CO₂ in the presence of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC) as promoter. The effects of temperature, reaction time, and amount of catalyst on the reaction, and the reusability of the catalyst, were investigated. A catalytic mechanism is proposed. The results revealed that NiL₂ + DCC had excellent catalytic activity, because this catalytic system promoted facile formation of DMC, with acceptable yield, in the presence of a small amount of NiL₂ and under moderate conditions (80 °C, 1.0 MPa). Moreover, the catalyst has been consecutively used five times without significant loss of activity.     

二氧化碳和甲醇合成碳酸二甲酯研究进展

本文综述了以二氧化碳和甲醇为起始原料合成碳酸二甲酯（DMC）的研究状况。提出以CO₂和甲醇直接合成DMC,不仅对合成化学,碳资源利用和环境保护具有重大意义,而且可使生产成本显著降低,它是发展DMC生产的一个具有很大潜力的方面。     

Synthesis of dimethyl ether from CO and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Thermodynamic conditions for synthesizing dimethyl ether from synthesis gas are determined. The optimum conditions of the process are as follow: T ∼ 300°C at p = 3 MPa for two catalysts loaded into the reactor: methanol synthesis catalyst (Katalco-58) and catalyst of methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether (γ-Al₂O₃). The changes that occur with the catalysts during this process are demonstrated by electron scanning microscopy.     

Alkylation of phenol with dimethyl carbonate over AlPO4, Al2O3 and AlPO4-Al2O3 catalysts

The vapor-phase catalytic alkylation of phenol with dimethyl carbonate over different AlPO₄ (Al/P=1), Al₂O₃ and AlPO₄-Al₂O₃ (5–25 wt.% Al₂O₃) catalysts produces anisole (O-alkylation) as the major reaction product althougho-cresol (C-alkylation) and methylanisoles were also found. The reaction is first order in phenol while O-and C-alkylation follow parallel processes. As compared with methanol, DMC is far more effective as a methylating agent, and the methylation proceeds at a lower temperature and with higher O-alkylation selectivity.     

碘甲烷在碳酸二甲酯直接合成中的作用

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an environmentally friendly compound and a substitutive intermediate for highly toxic phosgene or dimethyl sulfate in carbonylation and methylation reactions as well as a promising octane booster. The common methods for its preparation are the oxidative carbonylation of methanol catalyzed by a variety of transition metal ions and the transesterification of ethylene carbonate or propene carbonate with methanol[1]. The direct synthesis of DMC from carbon dioxide and methanol is a challenging route in which the most abundant carbon resources and a main greenhouse gas is used as feedstock. A new method for the direct synthesis of DMC catalyzed by the methoxide of main group metal has attracted more and more attention since it was reported[2～6] . However the lower conversion of the reaction has become the main obstacle for its application. In this letter, an efficient promoter for the direct synthesis of DMC is reported.     

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) electrolytes – the effect of solvent purity on Li–ion intercalation into graphite anodes

Graphite electrodes cycled in single solvent electrolytes based on dimethyl carbonate (DMC) exhibit surprising and unfamiliar behavior. The electrochemical performance of graphite anodes cycled vs. Li metal in DMC electrolytes, containing 1 M LiPF₆ is strongly dependent on the solvent purity. The behavior of the graphite anodes in electrolytes containing “pure” DMC is dependent mainly on the identity of the contamination present in the native solvent. It was found that methanol is causing deterioration in the electrochemical performance of the cycled graphite electrode, while carbon dioxide and mainly carbonochloridic acid methyl ester are enhancing the performance. It was established that it is essential to investigate and understand the processes and materials used during the production of battery grade solvents, in order to clarify the roll of traces of chemical compounds responsible for the variation and modification in the electrochemical behavior of the cycled electrodes.     

Dimethyl carbonate synthesis catalyzed by DABCO-derived basic ionic liquids via transesterification of ethylene carbonate with methanol

Easily prepared DABCO-derived (1,4-diazobicyclo[2.2.2]octane) basic ionic liquids were developed for an efficient synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) via the transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) with methanol. 1-Butyl-4-azo-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane hydroxide ([C₄DABCO]OH) exhibited high catalytic activity and 81% DMC yield together with 90% EC conversion was obtained under mild reaction conditions. Notably, the catalyst could be recycled for four times without loss of catalytic activity. Moreover, a possible mechanism was also discussed.     

Synthesis of polycarbonate from dimethyl carbonate and bisphenol-a through a non-phosgene process

A novel nonphosgene process for producing bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) was developed through a transesterification between bisphenol-A (BPA) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and a melt-polycondensation of the resulting bisphenol-A bismethylcarbonate (1). The transesterification was carried out by heating bisphenol A in dimethylcarbonate in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts, removing the by-producing methanol using molecular shieves 4A. Among various catalysts, a combination of (Bu₂SnCl)₂O and dimethylaminopyridine gave the best results to produce 1 in 22% yield for 48 h. Using a larger amount of the molecular sieves further improved the yield to 80% in 120 h. The resulting 1 was heated under reduced pressure in the presence of titanium catalysts to produce PC in good yields. The resulting PC had high weight average molecular weight (M_w) of 75,000. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2087–2093, 1999