Process systems for the carbonate interchange reactions of DMC and alcohols: efficient synthesis of catechol carbonate. Issue 7 (20th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tabanelli, Tommaso; Cailotto, Simone; Strachan, Jyah; Masters, Anthony F.; Maschmeyer, Thomas; Perosa, Alvise; Cavani, Fabrizio
• Is Part Of: Catalysis science & technology. Volume 8:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 1971
• Page End: 1980
• Publication Date: 2018-03-20
• Subjects: Catalysis -- Periodicals; 541.395
• DOI: 10.1039/c8cy00119g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-4753

Abstract

Abstract : Reactive methanol removal either by adsorption or by azeotropic distillation promotes complete conversion of different alcohols to the corresponding carbonates. Abstract : A range of organic carbonates was synthesised from dimethylcarbonate (DMC) and different alcohols by base-catalysed carbonate interchange reactions (CIRs). Dimethyl carbonate – used as a green and efficient reagent as well as the reaction solvent – was coupled to methanol-removing systems to break the reaction equilibrium and thus obtain near quantitative yields of the desired carbonates. Two different methanol-removing systems are described, one based on azeotropic distillation (reactive azeotropic distillation, RAD) and one based on methanol absorption (reactive vapour absorption, RVA). A comparison between the two systems is described and some conclusions based on reaction metrics are discussed. The methods were applied to the synthesis of aliphatic asymmetric alkyl-methyl carbonates and to the synthesis of catechol carbonate, using both homogeneous (NaOMe and trioctylmethylphosphonium methylcarbonate, P8881 -MC) as well as heterogeneous (MgO) catalysts.