New Catalysts for the Carbonylation of Phenol: Discovery Using High-Throughput Screening and Leads Scale-Up

Diphenylcarbonate (DPC) is a key component in the manufacture of Lexan® polycarbonate via the melt process. Polycarbonate has historically been manufactured by the interfacial process practiced by both GE and Bayer AG.1 This process involves the reaction of phosgene with Bisphenol A (BPA) in a biphasic system with an amine catalyst and monohydroxyphenolic chain stopper (Scheme 8.1a).2