Synthesis of Dimethyl Pimelate from Cyclohexanone and Dimethyl Carbonate over Solid Base Catalysts

Abstract

The synthesis of dimethyl pimelate (DMP) was carried out from cyclohexanone and dimethyl carbonate in the presence of solid base catalysts. The results showed that the intermediate carbomethoxycyclohexanone (CMCH) was produced from cyclohexanone with DMC in the first step, and then CMCH further converted to DMP by reacting with methoxide group. The function of basic catalysts was mainly attributed to the activation of cyclohexanone via the abstraction of proton in the α position by base sites, and solid base with moderate strength, such as MgO, facilitated the formation of DMP.