Dimethyl Carbonate (CO(OCH₃)₂)

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. It is soluble in most organic solvents but insoluble in water. The classical synthesis of DMC is the reaction of methanol with phosgene. Because phosgene is toxic, a non-phosgene-route may be preferred. The new route reacts methanol with urea over a tin catalyst. However, the yield is low.

Using electron donor solvents such as trimethylene glycol dimethyl ether and continually distilling off the product increases the yield.Dimethyl carbonate is used as a specialty solvent. It could be used as an oxygenate to replace MTBE. It has almost three times the oxygen content as MTBE. It has also a high octane rating. However, it must be evaluated in regard to economics and toxicity.