Synthesis and characterization of dialkyl carbonates prepared from mid-, long-chain, and Guerbet alcohols

A series of organic carbonates derived from mid-, long-chain, and Guerbet alcohols were synthesized in good yields (69-80% isolated yields after purification by distillation or recrystallization) through a carbonate interchange reaction by heating the linear or Guerbet alcohols with diethyl carbonate in the presence of catalyst, n-dibutyltin oxide. The carbonates were isolated by Kugelrohr distillation or recrystallization from acetone and characterized using FTIR, GC, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy, and GC-MS. El and positive Cl mass-spectral techniques were used to characterize the carbonates. Such materials are currently of commercial interest as lubricants and additives in various industrial applications.