Continuous DMC synthesis from CO2 and methanol over CeO2 catalyst in fixed bed reactor in presence of dehydrating agent

Abstract

Methanol and carbon dioxide are continuously and efficiently converted to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) over CeO2 catalyst using 2-cyanopyrindine as a recyclable dehydrating agent in a fixed bed reactor. The process was operated over a wide range of pressure (1-300 bar) by feeding CO2 and the stoichiometric amount of methanol and 2-cyanopyrinde mixture into the reactor. The study shows successful demonstration of direct DMC synthesis mediated by dehydrating agent with outstanding methanol conversion (&gt;95%) and dimethyl carbonate selectivity (&gt;99%) under optimized conditions. Remarkably higher reaction rates were achieved compared to those in batch operation.</p