Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters, Vol.94, No.1, 121-129, 2008
Transesterification of dimethyl carbonate with phenol over a bimetallic molybdenum and copper catalyst
Mo-Cu bimetallic oxides were found to be efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with phenol. When the reaction was carried out between 150 and 180 degrees C, with a molar of Mo/Cu of 1:1, molar ratio of phenol/DMC of 1:1, 4.8 wt.% of the catalyst, 9 h, the conversion of phenol was 49.9%, and the total yield of MPC and DPC was 45.4%. Catalyst reuse showed a gradual decline in the catalytic activity. The decrease in catalytic activity might be due to leaching out of Mo and Cu, and/or carbon deposition.