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

Abstract

This chapter contains a short introduction to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) followed by an overview on its phosgene-free synthesis and various applications. DMC is considered as an environmentally benign compound and unique intermediate with versatile chemical reactivity. However, the traditional process of DMC synthesis via phosgene and methanol or methanol exchange is limited owing to the toxic raw material involved. Thus, environmentally friendly phosgene-free processes of DMC have been proposed and developed in the past decades. In this chapter, recent progress in the direct and phosgene-free synthesis of DMC from CO2 and methanol is reviewed with the focus on the different catalyst systems. Moreover, the application of physical–chemical methods in the direct synthesis of DMC is also introduced. Finally, conventional processes are discussed in order to understand the advantages and disadvantages of direct synthesis of DMC.