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

Abstract

<p> Methanol and carbon dioxide are continuously and efficiently converted to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) over CeO₂catalyst 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>