The synthesis of diphenyl carbonate from dimethyl carbonate and phenol over mesoporous MoO3/SiMCM-41

The mesoporous catalyst activities of supported molybdenum oxide for diphenyl carbonate (DPC) synthesis in liquid-phase transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and phenol were investigated. The yields of DPC and methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) were greatly improved when MoO3 was supported on SiMCM-41 to act as catalyst. MoO3/SiMCM-41 catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Characterized results revealed that the high activity sites of MoO3/SiMCM-41 were isolated MoO42− tetrahedral species and polymerized octahedral molybdenum oxide species. MPC formation increased with reaction time up to 4 h and then decreased thereafter, and maximum MPC yield achieved 39.6%. The decrease of MPC yield after 4 h might be ascribed to MPC disproportionation into DPC and reversible transesterification reaction.

Graphical abstractThe catalyst activities of supported MoO3 for diphenyl carbonate (DPC) synthesis in liquid-phase transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and phenol were investigated. The yield of DPC and methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) was greatly improved when MoO3 was supported on SiMCM-41, and the high activity sites of MoO3/SiMCM-41 catalyst were isolated MoO42− tetrahedral and polymerized octahedral molybdate species.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide