The catalytic effects of Cu-Ni/VSO catalysts on the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO2 and CH3OH were investigated. The Cu-Ni/VSO catalysts were fully characterized by infra-red spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and diffuse reflectance FTIR (DRIFT) spectra. The crystalinity of the catalysts was influenced by process of reduction, and the crystal type of V2O5 on the surface of VSO changed when the catalysts were reduced. DRIFT spectra of catalyst showed that CO2 and CH3OH were activated effectively by the catalysts. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.