Abstract
This mini-review reports the current routes used for the production of dimethyl
carbonate (DMC), a green and versatile methylating reactant widely used in organic synthesis.
The use of DMC in methylation processes is also discussed. The main routes of DMC
production, encompassing the reaction between phosgene and methanol and the oxidative
carbonylation of methanol with CO and urea methanolysis, are summarised. However, none
of them can be considered entirely green, and the drawbacks in terms of green chemistry
principles are addressed. The present commercial route to DMC, which involves the initial
reaction of CO2 with ethylene oxide to produce ethylene carbonate that further reacts with
excess methanol, is also explored regarding the green chemistry principles. Moreover, this
review focuses on the direct DMC production from the reaction of methanol and CO2, discussing
catalysts and strategies to shift equilibrium. An emphasis is given to heterogeneous
catalysts, especially those based on CeO2. A final remark on the production of DMC through the capture of CO2
using chitosan-derived adsorbents and renewable methanol is addressed.
Graphical Abstract
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