Process for the preparation of aliphatic carbonates having a six-membered ring

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of carbonates having a six-membered ring, of the formula (I) by transesterification of 1,3-propanediol compounds with carbonic acid esters and subsequent distillative depolymerization of the oligo- or polycarbonate initially formed, one or more catalysts from the group consisting of compounds of Sn, Ti or Zr being employed both for the transesterification and for the depolymerization and, if appropriate, the distillation residue is at least partly recycled into the transesterification. Such carbonates having a six-membered ring can furthermore be stabilized against undesirable polymerization by addition of small amounts of acids of sulfur or phosphorus or esters or salts thereof.