Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate comprising reacting an alkylene carbonate and an alkanol in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is aluminum phosphate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate comprising reacting an alkylene carbonate and an alkanol in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is aluminum phosphate.

Abstract: A process for producing polycarbonate comprising contacting a dihydroxy capped carbonate and a diaryl carbonate in a reaction zone in the presence of a polymerization catalyst under polymerization conditions to produce polycarbonate. The dihydroxy capped carbonate is a carbonate with a dihydroxy compound on each end, and it is formed by the reaction of a dihydroxy compound with a dialkyl carbonate. The dihydroxy compound is a dihydroxy aromatic compound.

Abstract: A process for producing polycarbonate comprising: a) contacting a dialkyl carbonate with a dihydroxy compound in an oligomerization zone in the presence of an oligomerization catalyst under oligomerization conditions to form a first intermediate; and b) contacting the first intermediate with a diaryl carbonate in a polymerization zone in the presence of a polymerization catalyst under polymerization conditions to produce the polycarbonate wherein the molar ratio of dihydroxy compound to dialkyl carbonate in the oligomerization zone is at least 2:1.

Abstract: A process for preparing a diaryl carbonate from a dialkyl carbonate and an aryl alcohol is disclosed. The process takes place in apparatus comprising at least two distillation columns, and at least one of the distillation columns is operated at subatmospheric pressure which is achieved using vacuum equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an aromatic carbonate, comprising reacting a dialkyl carbonate or an alkyl aryl carbonate with an aryl alcohol or an alkyl aryl carbonate, resulting in an aromatic carbonate which is an alkyl aryl carbonate or a diaryl carbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a titanium or zirconium alkoxide or aryloxide, wherein the alkoxy group in the titanium or zirconium alkoxide is a group of formula R—O? wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the aryloxy group in the titanium or zirconium aryloxide is a group of formula Ar—O? wherein Ar is an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and wherein the composition additionally comprises 0.1 to 50 wt. % of an organic carbonate, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A process for producing an oligomer comprising contacting a dialkyl carbonate and a dihydroxy compound in a reaction zone in the presence of an oligomerization catalyst under oligomerization conditions to form the oligomer wherein the molar ratio of dihydroxy compound to dialkyl carbonate in the reaction zone is at least 2:1.

Abstract: A process for producing polycarbonate comprising contacting a dihydroxy capped carbonate and a diaryl carbonate in a reaction zone in the presence of a polymerization catalyst under polymerization conditions to produce polycarbonate.

Abstract: A process for producing an oligomer comprising contacting a alkylaryl carbonate and a dihydroxy compound in a reaction zone in the presence of an oligomerization catalyst under oligomerization conditions to form the oligomer wherein the molar ratio of dihydroxy compound to alkylaryl carbonate in the reaction zone is at least 2:1.

Abstract: A process for producing polycarbonate comprising: a) contacting a dialkyl carbonate with a dihydroxy compound in an oligomerization zone in the presence of an oligomerization catalyst under oligomerization conditions to form a first intermediate; and b) contacting the first intermediate with a diaryl carbonate in a polymerization zone in the presence of a polymerization catalyst under polymerization conditions to produce the polycarbonate wherein the molar ratio of dihydroxy compound to dialkyl carbonate in the oligomerization zone is at least 2:1.

Abstract: A process for preparing a diaryl carbonate from a dialkyl carbonate and an aryl alcohol is disclosed. The process takes place in apparatus comprising at least two distillation columns, and at least one of the distillation columns is operated at subatmospheric pressure which is achieved using vacuum equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an aromatic carbonate, comprising reacting a dialkyl carbonate or an alkyl aryl carbonate with an aryl alcohol or an alkyl aryl carbonate, resulting in an aromatic carbonate which is an alkyl aryl carbonate or a diaryl carbonate, wherein a composition comprising a titanium or zirconium alkoxide or aryloxide, wherein the alkoxy group in the titanium or zirconium alkoxide is a group of formula R-0˜ wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the aryloxy group in the titanium or zirconium aryloxide is a group of formula Ar-0˜ wherein Ar is an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and wherein the composition additionally comprises 0.1 to 50 wt. % of an alcohol, based on the total weight of the composition, is mixed with an alcohol or an organic carbonate, and the mixture thus obtained is contacted with said dialkyl carbonate or alkyl aryl carbonate and aryl alcohol or alkyl aryl carbonate to catalyze the preparation of the aromatic carbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a titanium or zirconium alkoxide or aryloxide, wherein the alkoxy group in the titanium or zirconium alkoxide is a group of formula R-0? wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the aryloxy group in the titanium or zirconium aryloxide is a group of formula Ar-0? wherein Ar is an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and wherein the composition additionally comprises 0.1 to 50 wt. % of an organic carbonate, based on the total weight of the composition. Further, the invention relates to a process for preparing such composition, comprising blending such titanium or zirconium alkoxide or aryloxide with an organic carbonate in such amounts that the resulting composition comprises 0.1 to 50 wt. % of the organic carbonate, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for drying a catalyst carrier or drying a catalyst comprising a carrier on which a metal is supported, wherein the carrier or catalyst is contacted with a drying agent which comprises an organic carbonate. Further, the invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst which comprises a carrier on which a metal is supported, said process comprising drying the carrier by contacting the carrier with a drying agent which comprises an organic carbonate resulting in a dried carrier; and impregnating the dried carrier with a solution wherein a compound containing the metal is dissolved in a solvent which is an organic carbonate or an alcohol. Still further, the invention relates to a process for preparing an aromatic carbonate, such as a diaryl carbonate, using the catalyst thus prepared or dried; and to a process for making a polycarbonate from the diaryl carbonate thus prepared.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing an alkylaryl carbonate comprising: a) contacting a stream comprising an aromatic hydroxy compound and a stream comprising a dialkylcarbonate in the presence of a transesterification catalyst in a reactive distillation column; b) withdrawing a first product stream comprising the alkylaryl carbonate from the reactive distillation column; c) withdrawing a second product stream comprising alkyl hydroxy compound and dialkylcarbonate; d) adding fresh dialkylcarbonate to the second product stream; e) separating the dialkylcarbonate from the alkyl hydroxy compound; and f) recycling the dialkylcarbonate from step e) to the reactive distillation column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an 1,2-alkylene carbonate comprising (i) contacting carbon dioxide, an 1,2-alkylene oxide and a carbonation catalyst in a reactor to produce a crude reactor effluent containing carbon dioxide, light components, 1,2-alkylene carbonate and catalyst; (ii) separating carbon dioxide and light components from the crude reactor effluent to form a bottoms stream containing 1,2-alkylene carbonate and catalyst; (iii) distilling the bottoms stream formed in step (ii) to form a first distillation overhead stream containing 1,2-alkylene carbonate and a first distillation bottoms stream containing catalyst, and recycling at least part of the first distillation bottoms stream to the reactor; and (iv) distilling the first distillation overhead stream to form a second distillation overhead stream and a second distillation bottoms stream containing 1,2-alkylene carbonate, and recycling at least part of the second distillation overhead stream to the reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing an alkanol impurity from a stream containing an organic carbonate and the alkanol impurity, comprising contacting the stream with a catalyst to effect reaction of the alkanol impurity with the organic carbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate comprising: reacting an alkylene carbonate and an alkanol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture comprising dialkyl carbonate, unconverted alkanol, alkanediol, unconverted alkylene carbonate and an alkoxy alkanol impurity; and subjecting the reaction mixture to distillation in a series of steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing an alkanol impurity from a stream containing a dialkyl carbonate and the alkanol impurity, comprising contacting the stream with an aryl group containing ester and a catalyst to effect reaction of the alkanol impurity with the aryl group containing ester.