PRODUCTION OF DIARYL CARBONATE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a diaryl carbonate useful as a raw material for producing polycarbonate in good yield by using a specific catalyst in decarbonylation reaction of a diaryl oxalate. SOLUTION: A compound of VIII group metal is used as a catalyst in decarbonylation reaction. An organic acid salt, a phosphine complex or a halide of VIII group metal is preferably used as the compound of VIII group metal. An organic acid salt, a phosphine complex or a halide of iron group metal or phosphine complex of platinum group metal is especially preferably used as the compound of VIII group metal. Although the compound of VIII group metal can directly be used, the compound may be supported on a support such as silica, alumina or active carbon. The supported amount of the compound of II B group metal is normally about 0.1-50wt.%, preferably 0.5-30wt.% as the metal of VIII group metal, based on the support. The catalyst is used in an amount of normally bout 0.001-50mol% as VIII group metal based on diaryl oxide.