| abstract |
Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII metal having an atomic number of at least 44, preferably palladium; an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide, preferably sodium bromide; and at least one aliphatic polyether such as a polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether or a crown ether. The catalyst system also preferably contains a compound of another metal, preferably lead. |