SYNTHESIS OF DIMETHYL CARBONATE FROM CARBON-DIOXIDE AND METHANOL IN THE PRESENCE OF ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS

The effect of a series of organotin(II) compounds of the formulae Bu2SnX2 (X = OMe, OEt, OBu, Cl, Br, OPh, OOCMe, OOC(CH2)10Me, SSNEt2; X2 = O, (OH, Cl)) and Bu2XSnOSnXBu2 (X = Cl, Br, OOCMe, OBu. n-Bu) in the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate by the title reaction was studied. It was found that the most efficient compounds of the series were the tin alkoxides Bu2Sn(OR)2 (R = Me, Et, Bu) which afforded the carbonate in up to 160 mole % yields (with respect to the tin compound) under convenient reaction conditions (low CO2 pressure, 130 - 190-degrees-C, 6 h).