Abstract: The data search apparatus includes: a data storage section for holding and storing data about all of the plurality of data items in a state where each of the plurality of data items is represented as a row, on which a plurality of attribute values about the data item are arranged in line, and the rows corresponding to the plurality of data items are sorted in a predetermined order decided by a designated attribute; a display control section for selectively displaying a predetermined number of data items from the plurality of data items in the predetermined order decided by the designated attribute on the display screen of the display device such that the attribute values of each of the displayed data items are arranged in line and that a designated data item row and a designated attribute value column are displayed in a different state from the other data item rows and the other attribute value columns; a designation change section for changing the designated row and the designated attribute value column; and

Abstract: A diaryl carbonate with a high degree of purity is produced at a high yield by (A) subjecting (a) a diaryl oxalate and a phenol compound or (b) an alkylaryl oxalate to transesterification reaction in one or two stages in the presence of a catalyst to prepare a diaryl oxalate, while removing a by-product from the reaction system; (B) collecting the diaryl oxalate from the resultant reaction product mixture of the step (A); (C) subjecting the diaryl oxalate to a decarbonylation reaction, preferably in the presence of a phosphorous compound-containing catalyst, to convert the diaryl oxalate to a corresponding diaryl carbonate, while removing a reaction by-product comprising carbon monoxide from the reaction system; and (D) collecting the diaryl carbonate from the reaction product mixture of the step (C).

Abstract: A diaryl carbonate is prepared at a high yield and a high selectivity by heating a diaryl oxalate in the presence of an organic phosphorous compound to release carbon monoxide therefrom. A halogen atom-containing compound can be employed in combination with the organic phosphorous compound.