Catalyst and method for producing carbonic diesters.

摘要

A catalyst for synthesizing a carbonic diester comprises at least one copper compound selected from the group consisting of copper oxides, copper hydroxides, a salt of copper with a weak acid consisting of the elements other than halogen such as copper borates, and complexes or complex salts consisting of the elements other than halogen and formed with copper or a copper compound a ligand. The catalyst has a high activity, a high reaction selectivity and an excellent stability with a minimal risk of causing the corrosion. Said catalyst may further comprise as a co-catalyst component, a platinum-group metal such as palladium or a platinum-group metal compound containing no halogen atom such as palladium acetate. The catalyst component may be supported on a carrier, for example, an activated carbon. A carbonic diester is advantageously produced by allowing an alcohol to react with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of said catalyst. The corrosion due to the catalyst is considerably inhibited so that a dimethyl carbonate can be produced with an excellent stability for a long duration.