A review with 26 refs. covering synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from (a) urea and MeOH and (b) CO2 oxycarbonylation of MeOH, carbonylation of methyl nitrite, transesterification of ethylene carbonate, routes to diethyl carbonate, prepn. of polycarbonates, carbamates, and isocyanates, and also dimethyl carbonate as methylating agent, solvent, and "green oxidant", and aliphatic carbonates as fuel additives.