Dialkyl Carbonate Synthesis via in Situ Generated Carbonyl Dibromide on Porous Glass

Dialkyl carbonate was synthesized from carbon monoxide, bromine and alkanol (1-butanol or methanol) via in situ formation of carbonyl dibromide (CDB) on a silica catalyst at 5–25 °C. The CDB intermediate was verified by infrared spectroscopy. Over 80% of the bromine reacted in a single-pot synthesis resulting in dialkyl carbonate formation. Bromine electrosynthesis requires less energy than chlorine, and replacement of phosgene (carbonyl dichloride) with CDB could reduce the costs associated with products requiring these reactive carbonyl intermediates.