Direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate with supercritical carbon dioxide: characterization of a key organotin oxide intermediate

The direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) using carbon dioxide as solvent and reagent for its fixation to methanol was explored with din-butyldimethoxystannane in order to get insight into the reaction mechanism for activity improvement. Catalytic runs including recycling experiments allowed isolation and characterization by NMR, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction of a new tin complex containing 10 tin atoms. This compound could be prepared independently and is considered as a resting species. The yield of DMC is highest under 20 MPa pressure that fits with a monophasic supercritical medium in agreement with fluid phase equilibria calculations. In line, preliminary kinetics and…