| abstract |
An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and impurities and the cyclic carbonate, which contains the impurities, is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol. |