Preparation of supported Sn₂(OMe)₄/SiO₂ catalyst and its catalytic behaviour for direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO₂ and CH₃OH

The supported binuclear bridged Sn complex for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO₂ and methanol was prepared by SiO₂ surface modification method and the chemical composition, the surface structure, the thermal stability, the adsorption properties and the catalytic activity of Sn₂(OMe₄)/SiO₂ were thoroughly studied. CO₂ and CH₃OH can react on Sn catalyst with good reactivity and DMC selectivity, the reaction products were mainly DMC and H₂O with few CO, CH₄ and CH₂O under a proper reaction condition (413 K, 0.5 MPa, SV 1500/hr, and CH₃OH/CO₂ molar ratio 2:1, the Sn catalyst had almost 100% DMC selectivity.