Membrane Technology in Catalytic Carbonylation Reactions

In this review, the recent achievements on the use of membrane technologies in catalytic carbonylation reactions are described. The review starts with a general introduction on the use and function of membranes in assisting catalytic chemical reactions with a particular emphasis on the most widespread applications including esterification, oxidation and hydrogenation reactions. An independent paragraph will be then devoted to the state of the art of membranes in carbonylation reactions for the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC). Finally, the application of a specific membrane process, such as pervaporation, for the separation/purification of products deriving from carbonylation reactions will be presented.