Review of Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) Manufacture and Its Characteristics as a Fuel Additive

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is considered an option for meeting the oxygenate specifications on gasoline and as a means of converting natural gas to a liquid transportation fuel. In this report, the fuel characteristics and known chemical synthesis schemes for DMC are reviewed. Three production schemes have a commercial track record, while others are still under development. The older of the three commercially proven schemes is undesirable because it employs phosgene. The other two commercially proven schemes have a complex mixture of advantages and disadvantages with regard to the synthesis chemistry and are reviewed in greater detail. One other commercially viable production scheme that involves coproduction of either ethylene or propylene glycol is also reviewed. This scheme is still in the development stage and would require a commitment to coproduce the glycol from ethylene or propylene. The authors are not aware of any refiner that either has blended or is blending DMC into gasoline for commercial use.