Continuous production process of diarylcarbonates

Abstract

A diaryl carbonate is produced by transesterification of a dialkyl carbonate, such as dimethyl carbonate, with an aromatic hydroxy compound, such as phenol, in three successive reaction zones. A transesterification catalyst, such as a titanate ester or ester mixture is used in each zone. Conditions are selected to maximize formation of alkyl aryl carbonate in the first and second reaction zones, while conversion to diaryl carbonate is favored in the third reaction zone. The vaporous mixture from the first two reaction zones is a mixture containing alkyl alcohol, dialkyl carbonate, alkyl aryl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound. This mixture is separated in an alkyl alcohol recovery zone by distillation in the distillation columns to produce useful recycle streams. The second of these distillation columns can be operated at a lower pressure than the first, thus enabling the heat of vaporization of this mixture to be used as the source of heat for the reboiler of the second distillation column of the alkyl alcohol recovery zone.