Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate via Transesterification of Ethylene Carbonate and Methanol over Mesoporous KF-loaded Mg-Fe Oxides

Graphical A series of solid base KF/Mg-Fe bi-metal oxides were fabricated via supporting KF on Mg-Fe bi-metal oxides and calcination. When applied as catalyst to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis through transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) and methanol, this material can afford up to 88 % yield and 97 % selectivity toward DMC in the optimal conditions. It is worth noting that the catalyst can be easily separated by filtration and reused. A series of KF/Mg-Fe oxides were fabricated via the solid-state reaction between KF and Mg-Fe oxides. Especially, when 20 wt % KF was supported on the Mg-Fe bi-metal oxides and calcined at 400–600 °C, the solid material with more basic sites than the support itself was obtained. When applied as catalyst to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis through transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) and methanol, this material can afforded up to 88 % yield and 97 % selectivity toward DMC in 2 h under reflux conditions with the molar ratio of methanol to ethylene carbonate set at 8. It is worth noting that the catalyst was easily separated and reused, retaining at least 89 % catalytic activity during the first four recycles. Although an attenuated activity was still observed due to the inevitable filtration loss and dissolution, this solid base can still provide clues to the development recyclable catalyst in green synthesis of DMC.