Two-step synthesis of diphenyl carbonate from dimethyl carbonate and phenol using MoO3/SiO2 catalysts

The transesterification of dimethyl carbonate with phenol to produce methyl phenyl carbonate was carried out in an autoclave using a variety of solid catalysts. MoO3/SiO2 was found to have a very high activity for this transesterification. Thus, a 17.1% yield of methyl phenyl carbonate based on phenol was obtained at 433 K in the presence of MoO3/SiO2. MoO3/SiO2 was also an active catalyst for the disproportionation of methyl phenyl carbonate into diphenyl carbonate and dimethyl carbonate. A 48% yield of diphenyl carbonate was attained over MoO3/SiO2 at 443 K. These yield values are probably very close to those at the thermodynamic equilibrium.