Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate and glycols from carbon dioxide, epoxides, and methanol using heterogeneous basic metal oxide catalysts with high activity and selectivity

This paper gives a comprehensive report on a two-step synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from epoxides, carbon dioxide and methanol using various basic metal oxide catalysts. The first step is the reaction of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide with CO2 to form the corresponding cyclic carbonates, and the second step is the transesterification reaction of the cyclic carbonates with methanol to DMC and glycols. Among the catalysts examined, MgO is the most active and selective for both these reactions. Other alcohols can be used for the second step, but the activity decreases as the carbon number of the alcohol increases. Although a one-pot synthesis of DMC, i.e. the sequential reaction of the epoxide, CO2 and methanol, is also possible with MgO, the selectivity is low because of the alcoholysis of the epoxide. In contrast with the reactions of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, when styrene oxide is used for the first reaction and for the one-pot synthesis, mandelic acid is produced. Basic properties of the metal oxide catalysts were measured by temperature programmed desorption of CO2. The relationship between the catalytic performance and the basic property is discussed.