The Role of K[sub.2]CO[sub.3] in the Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from CO[sub.2] and Methanol

The synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and CO[sub.2] has also received widespread attention, and K[sub.2]CO[sub.3] is usually used as a catalyst in the synthesis of DMC. In this work, the role of K[sub.2]CO[sub.3] in synthesizing dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and CO[sub.2] was revisited. Interestingly, NMR results indicated that K[sub.2]CO[sub.3] can react with methanol to form carbonate CH[sub.3]OCOO[sup.−], an essential intermediate in the synthesis of DMC, which can be transformed into DMC in the presence of CH[sub.3]I. In other words, K[sub.2]CO[sub.3] can act as not only a catalyst but also a reactant to synthesize DMC from methanol and CO[sub.2].