Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from Ethylene Carbonate and Methanol Over Nano-Catalysts Supported on CeO2-MgO.

A series of CeO2(X)-MgO(1-X) (X = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0) nano-catalysts were prepared by a co-precipitation method for use in the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from ethylene carbonate and methanol. Among the CeO2(X)-MgO(1-X) catalysts, CeO2(0.25)-MgO(0.75) nano-catalyst showed the best catalytic performance. Alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides (MO = Li2O, K2O, Cs2O, SrO, and BaO) were then supported on CeO2(0.25)-MgO(0.75) by an incipient wetness impregnation method with an aim of improving the catalytic performance of CeO2(0.25)-MgO(0.75). Basicity of the catalysts was determined by CO2-TPD experiments in order to elucidate the effect of basicity on the catalytic performance. The correlation between catalytic performance and basicity showed that basicity played an important role in the reaction. Yield for dimethyl carbonate increased with increasing basicity of the catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, Li2O/CeO2(0.25)-MgO(0.75) nano-catalyst with the largest basicity showed the best catalytic performance in the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate.