Process for preparing dialkyl carbonates

摘要

The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing lower dialkyl carbonates as main product and alkylene glycol as by-product by transesterification of a cyclic alkylene carbonate (e.g. ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate) with lower alkyl alcohols in the presence of a catalyst and also the required purification of the dialkyl carbonate in a subsequent process step. To optimize the economics and energy efficiency of the process, additional devices are used for intermediate heating of the liquid streams in the apparatus.