Synthesis of Dioctyl Carbonate Catalyzed by K2CO3/CeO2 via Transesterification

Abstract

The solid catalyst was prepared by loading K2CO3 on CeO2, which was used in transesterification between dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and n-octanol (OctOH). The optimized reaction condition was carried out at 90 °C for 2 h, then heated up to 130 °C for 5 h, the molar ratio of n(OctOH)/n(DMC) was equal to 4/1, and the catalyst amount was 0.2 wt%. K2CO3/CeO2 is found to be an efficient catalyst for the transesterification, and this catalyst has higher activity. The yield and the selection of dioctyl carbonate are 72.43% and 90.05%, respectively.