In 2001, we presented PEP Review 98-10 on Ube’s technology for the production of
diphenyl carbonate from phenol via diphenyl oxalate, which in turn is prepared from dimethyl
oxalate. The latter is prepared from methanol via methyl nitrite by reaction with nitric oxide
followed by carbonylation of the intermediate. There has been some improvement in the
operation of this process over the years to warrant revisit to this process. In this review, we
modify the process presented in our previous review based on Ube’s current patent pertaining to
this technology.
This Review renews a technoeconomic evaluation of this improved technology, based on
available public information. Also presented is economic comparison between the present
process and those of two other DPC processes – DPC from phenol by direct phosgenation, and
DPC from DMC by carbonylation. We conclude that the present process requires capital
investment, which is comparable with the other two DPC processes within the accuracy of the
present study. Similar conclusion applied to the production costs. It appears that the
improvement in this process does provide the Ube technology with competitive position against
the other two processes.
By Yu-Ren Chin
