Method for the continuous production of 1,3-dioxolan-2-ones

A process for the continuous production of 1,3-dioxolan-2-ones such as ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate by reacting a corresponding oxirane with carbon dioxide in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst comprises conducting the reaction in a two-part reactor in whose first part the reaction is taken with backmixing to a conversion of not less than 80% of the oxirane II and in whose second part the reaction is completed under nonbackmixing conditions, and passing the carbon dioxide in countercurrent to the oxirane II in the entire reactor.