Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from Carbon Dioxide and Methanol in the Presence of Organotin Compounds

Abstract

The effect of a series of organotin(II) compounds of the formulae Bu₂SnX₂ (X = OMe, OEt, OBu, Cl Br, OPh, OOCMe, OOC(CH₂)₁₀Me, SSNEt₂; X₂ = O, (OH, Cl) and Bu₂XSnOSnXBu₂ (X = Cl, Br, OOCMe, OBu, n-Bu) in the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate by the title reaction was studied. It was found that the most efficient compounds of the series were the tin alkoxides Bu₂Sn(OR)₂ (R = Me, Et, Bu) which afforded the carbonate in up to 160 mole % yields (with respect to the tin compound) under convenient reaction conditions (low CO₂ pressure, 130 - 190 °C, 6 h).