Dimethyl carbonate,due to its good natures,has been widely used in chemical reactions and petroleum products.The four synthetic methods of dimethyl carbonate were discussed,including oxidative carbonylation of methanol,transesterification,alcoholysis of urea and the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from crbon dioxide and methanol.The effect of the catalyst on selectivity of dimethyl carbonate and the by-products was introduced.The paper also reviewed the research progress of the supported zeolite catalysts for synthesis of dimethyl carbonate.The supported zeolite catalysts exhibit good promise in synthesis of dimethyl carbonate.