Process for the production of diaryl carbonates

A method for preparing diphenyl carbonate which comprises contacting phenol with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of an amount effective for carbonylation of a catalyst composition comprising the following and any reaction products thereof:

• (A) at least one palladium source;
• (B) sodium bromide;
• (C) a metal co-catalyst selected from the group consisting of lead, cerium, copper, and titanium, and mixtures thereof;
• (D) at least one activating organic solvent;
• and
• (E) optionally, at least one base,
• wherein reaction water is removed by a process comprising the steps of:
• (vii) removing a liquid stream from an agitated oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel and transferring the stream to a first disengagement vessel which is not agitated;
• (viii) transferring a liquid stream from the first disengagement vessel to a flash vessel wherein the liquid stream is subjected to reduced pressure, whereby a majority of the water is removed;
• (ix) returning at least a portion of a dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel;
• and
• (x) optionally adding at least one of make-up aromatic hydroxy compound or other volatile constituent or catalyst component to the reaction vessel or to the dried liquid stream before return to the reaction vessel,
• wherein at least a portion of diaryl carbonate is recovered from a liquid stream either before or after water removal.