The role of Ce doping on the activity of La2O2CO3 nanosheets catalysts in synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from propylene carbonate and methanol

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) production from the transesterification reaction of propylene carbonate (PC) and methanol is an eco-friendly and economical process with propylene glycol (PG) as the high value-added co -product. We report herein the synthesis of Ce-doped La2O2CO3 nanosheets (La1Cex) with varying Ce contents through a solvothermol method. La1Ce0.15 catalyst exhibits superior catalytic performance in the production of DMC by the transesterification of methanol and PC. A remarkable improvement in PC conversion (> 85%) and DMC selectivity (> 98%) can be attributed to an increase in surface O-2-base sites caused by increased oxygen interstitials and vacancies through Ce doping.