METHOD OF SYNTHESIS OF AROMATIC CARBONATE

Continuously producing an aromatic carbonate or its mixt. corresponding to the starting material comprising dialkyl carbonate, alkyl aryl carbonate or a mixt. thereof and the reactant comprising aromatic hydroxy cpd.; alkyl aryl carbonate or a mixt. thereof. The process comprises feeding starting material and reactant continuously to a continuous multistage distillation column to effect transesterification between them in the presence of a catalyst, and withdrawing the aromatic carbonate or its mixt. formed as high-boiling prod. in liq-form continuously from the lower part of the column, while withdrawing by-products formed as low-boiling prods. in gaseous form continuously from the upper part of the column by distillation to effect transesterification between the starting material and the reactant.