Method for preparing a dialkyl carbonate, and its use in the preparation of diaryl carbonates and polycarbonates

1. A method of making a dialkyl carbonate comprising: reacting, in the presence of a reactor component comprising tantalum or a tantalum alloy, an alkanol, oxygen, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper wherein the reaction occurs in a mixture comprising a liquid phase and flirt her wherein the liquid phase comprises about 4 to about 12 weight percent water based on the total weight of the liquid phase.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the dialkyl carbonate is present in an amount of about 38 weight percent to about 52 weight percent, based on the total weight of the liquid phase.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkanol is a C 1 to C 4 alkanol.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of water is 5 to 8 weight percent based on the total weight of the liquid phase.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is copper chloride.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reactor component comprises a tantalum/tungsten alloy.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the repassivation potential of the tantalum or tantalum alloy in the liquid phase minus the corrosion potential of the liquid phase) is greater than 0.

8. A method of making a dialkyl carbonate comprising: reacting, in the presence of a reactor component comprising tantalum or a tantalum alloy, methanol, oxygen, and carbon monoxide, in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper wherein the reaction occurs in a mixture comprising a liquid phase and further wherein the liquid phase comprises about 4 to about 12 weight percent water based on the total weight of the liquid phase.