Preparation of K2O/ZrO2 catalyst and its Use in the synthesis of Di-2-ethylhexyl carbonate

K
₂
O/ZrO
₂
K
₂
O/ZrO
_2-
La
₂
O
_3-x
(x=0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7% and 0.8%) catalysts for the synthesis of di-2 ethylhexyl carbonate from dimethyl carbonate and 2-ethyl hexanol were prepared by impregnation method calcinated at 773K, 873K and 973K. The activity of K
₂
O/ZrO
_2-
La
₂
O
_3-
0.6% catalyst reached the yield of 81.18% for di-2-ethylhexyl carbonate when the calcination temperature was 973K. XRD and Raman measurements of catalysts revealed that the tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia phase were observed in the catalysts. It was benefited to increase the basicity of catalysts that K
₂
O dispersed on the surface of the carrier. The monoclinic zirconia phase decreased when the content of La increased.