Abstract: A process for the production of dialkyl carbonates, such as dimethyl carbonate. In one aspect, the process involves contacting under reaction conditions an alkanol, such as methanol, with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the vapor phase and in the presence of a catalyst containing (1) a copper halide, a copper oxyhalide, or a copper carboxylate halide, (2) a quaternary ammonium salt, and (3) a support component. The catalyst achieves high selectivity and productivity to dialkyl carbonates. In a second aspect, the addition of a chlorocarbon catalyst regenerator to the alkanol feed increases catalyst stability and lifetime and increases the selectivity and/or productivity to dialkyl carbonates.

Abstract: A process for the production of a diaryl carbonate comprising:contacting an aromatic hydroxy compound with a carbonyl halide in the presence of a catalyst in a reactor system under conditions sufficient for the formation of a diaryl carbonate and a hydrogen halide;recovering the aromatic carbonate; andrecycling at least some of the hydrogen halide within the reactor system to regenerate the carbonyl halide.

Abstract: A process for the production of a diaryl carbonate useful in the preparation of polycarbonate molding resins comprising contacting an aromatic hydroxy compound and a carbonyl halide or aryl haloformate in the presence of a catalyst comprising aluminum trifluoride.