Transesterification of dimethyl carbonate and phenol to diphenyl carbonate catalyzed by titanocene complexes

Some titanocene complexes were used as catalysts for the transesterification of phenol and dimethyl carbonate to diphenyl carbonate. It was found that titanocene catalysts modified by various substituents would strongly influence the steric and electronic properties of the catalytic centers, the stability of the transition states and their catalytic behaviors. The yields of methyl phenyl carbonate and diphenyl carbonate might be improved by designing the structure of the titanocene complexes. When the substituent was smaller and more electron withdrawing, or the substituent could make the transition state stabler, the reaction would go on with better results.