Stable Organic Titanium Catalysts and Reactive Distillation Used for the Transesterification of Dimethyl Carbonate with Phenol

The transesterification of dimethyl carbonate with phenol to methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) was investigated on novel catalysts such as titanium diisopropoxide bis(ethyl acetoacetate) and titanium dibutoxide bis(ethyl acetoacetate) in a closed batch reactor at 185–206 °C under high pressure. The produced methanol could be removed efficiently by reactive distillation in order to overcome the equilibrium. The prepared catalysts have higher resistance to water than titanium alkoxides. Phenol conversion as high as 86.4 % with an MPC selectivity of 99.4 % was achieved under optimal reaction conditions within 9 h. Most of the catalytic activity was retained after repeated use for ten times. High conversion and selectivity was achieved on a novel organic titanium catalyst with intensified reactive distillation in the transesterification of dimethyl carbonate with phenol. The modified titanium chelate catalysts show high stability and resistance to water, making them easy to handle. Most of the catalytic activity was retained after repeated use for ten times.