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.