Pyroaurite as an active, reusable and environmentally benign catalyst in synthesis of diphenyl carbonate by transesterification

The pyroaurite catalyzed synthesis of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) by transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and phenol was investigated. Under the optimal reaction condition, the conversion of DMC reached 61.5%, and the yields of DPC and methyl phenyl carbonate were 13.9% and 43.7%, respectively. The catalyst can be recycled and reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity within the scope of this study.