Process for the preparation of unsymmetric dialkyl carbonates
AssigneeArco Chemical Technology, L.P.
InventorFrank J. Liotta, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Basic cesium compounds are effective transesterification catalysts for the conversion of symmetric dialkyl carbonates to unsymmetric dialkyl carbonates. Crown ethers, polyalkylene glycols, and polyalkylene glycol ethers are useful cocatalysts for the process. Methyl tert-butyl carbonate and methyl tertamyl carbonate, useful octane enhancers for gasoline, can be prepared using the process.
Claims22
A process for producing an unsymmetric dialkyl carbonate, said process comprising reacting a symmetric dialkyl carbonate with an alcohol selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 linear, branched, and cyclic aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, in the presence of a basic cesium compound either in the absence of or in the presence of a cocatalyst to produce the unsymmetric dialkyl carbonate.
A process for producing an unsymmetric dialkyl carbonate, said process comprising reacting a symmetric dialkyl carbonate having C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups with a tertiary C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 aliphatic alcohol in the presence of a basic cesium compound either in the absence of or in the presence of a cocatalyst to produce the unsymmetric dialkyl carbonate.
A process for producing methyl tert-butyl carbonate, said process comprising reacting dimethyl carbonate with tert-butyl alcohol in the presence of a basic cesium compound either in the absence of or in the presence of a cocatalyst to produce methyl tert-butyl carbonate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.