Promoting effect of phosphoric acid on zirconia catalysts in selective synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide

The addition of phosphoric acid to zirconia catalysts promoted the activity for dimethyl carbonate synthesis from methanol and carbon dioxide with high selectivity, and the reactions proceeded at much lower temperature on H3PO4/ZrO2 than on zirconia catalysts. This suggested that the surface acidity enhanced by phosphoric acid contributed to higher activity.