A zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) was developed as a novel efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of ethyl methyl carbonate from dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. ZIF-8 was characterized by element analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), N-2 adsorption-desorption and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of catalyst amount, temperature and reaction time on the yield of ethyl methyl carbonate were also tested. The results showed that ZIF-8 performed excellent activity, selectivity and reusability under mild reaction conditions. (c) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.