Cu–Y zeolite supported on silicon carbide for the vapour phase oxidative carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate

Abstract

A medium surface area β-SiC supported Cu–Y zeolite composite catalyst was prepared by performing the zeolite synthesis in the presence of the β-SiC grains. The composite material was used as a catalyst for the vapour phase oxidative carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate, with improved space time yields of dimethyl carbonate and limited influence of the temperature. The composite catalyst combined the interest of using a thermoconductive material as support for an exothermic reaction and of using a Cu–Y zeolite catalyst for getting stable performances in the dimethyl carbonate synthesis.