High Efficient Electrochemical Carbonylation of Methanol to Dimethyl Carbonate by Br[sub 2]∕Br[sup −] Mediator System over Pd∕C Anode

Electrochemical carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was studied over anode with XBr electrolyte ( , , ). The formation rate, the current efficiency, and the selectivity of DMC with LiBr electrolyte were considerably higher than that with other supporting electrolyte, , , LiCl, , LiI, and . A turnover number of Pd electrocatalyst for DMC formation was over . Current efficiency of 80% and selectivity based on and CO of 95% were observed. Data of kinetic experiments and stoichiometric experiments strongly suggested that electrochemically produced works as an oxidant for the oxidative carbonylation of methanol to DMC catalyzed by on carbon. A very active and selective carbonylation of methanol to DMC was performed by indirect electrolysis with redox mediator.