Continuous vapor phase process for synthesis of dimethyl carbonate by oxidative carbonylation of methanol

The process for the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) at autoclave by oxidative carbonylation of methanol in a agitation reactor was investigated basd on the technology of continuous vapor phase of feed gas. The results showed that the methanol conversion could exceed 46. 8% and the DMC selectivity was about 93.1% under the reaction conditions of 2 molar ratio of CO to O₂ the 400 and 200 mL/min flow rates of CO and O₂, pressure of 2.8 MPa, temperature of 368 K, reaction time of 6 h, and catalyst concentration of 0. 25 g/mL. When the concentration of catalyst was 0. 32 g/mL, the methanol conversion could reach 54.7%. The present investigation may be useful to practical production.