Phosgene-free approaches to catalytic synthesis of diphenyl carbonate and its intermediates

Diphenyl carbonate (DPC) is considered as a substitution for phosgene to synthesize polycarbonate resins. Conventional production of DPC involves reactions of phosgene and phenol. However, the phosgene process has drawbacks such as environmental and safety problems associated with using highly toxic phosgene as the reagent, which results in the formation of chlorine salts, and copious amounts of methylene chloride as the solvent. For these reasons, environmentally friendly processes for DPC production without using phosgene have been proposed and developed in the past decades. So far, the most promising alternatives appear to be the transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and phenol, the direct oxidative carbonylation of phenol, and transesterification of dialkyl oxalates and phenol. This paper attempts to review recent literature concerning process design and catalytic chemistry for these phosgene-free approaches. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed for each reaction. Strategies to overcome potential problems are provided. The perspectives to improve catalytic efficiency of phosgene-free process are proposed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.