Catalytic and direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate starting from carbon dioxide using CeO₂-ZrO₂ solid solution heterogeneous catalyst: Effect of H₂O removal from the reaction system

CeO₂-ZrO₂ solid solution catalysts are very effective in the selective synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and CO₂. The methanol conversion is very low because the DMC formation is limited by the reaction equilibrium. For the removal of H₂O from the reaction system, the reaction between 2,2-dimethoxy propane (DMP) and H₂O can be utilized. The addition of the DMP to the reaction system of DMC synthesis from methanol and CO₂ is very effective for the increase of the conversion. However, the addition of larger amounts of DMP is not suitable because of the decrease of DMC formation rate and the by-production of the dimethyl ether (DME). The combination of this selective catalyst with an effective H₂O removal system can provide a novel process of selective DMC production starting from CO₂ with high efficiency.