Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate by transesterification of ethylene carbonate over activated dawsonites

Basic aluminates derived from the activation of Na- and K-dawsonites are highly active and reusable catalysts for the transesterification of ethylene carbonate and methanol to dimethyl carbonate. The product is obtained in about 65 % yield in 6 h even when the reaction is scaled up 100-fold to a 2 L reactor.