Patent ID: 8916731

Claim:
A method of producing a dialkyl or diaryl ether comprising: reacting carbon dioxide with a metal alcoholate having the formula, M(RO) x , where “M” is a Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3 metal, “x” is the valence of the metal M, and “R” is an aryl group selected from phenyl and naphthyl, under reaction conditions which produce a dialkyl or diaryl ether having a formula, R—O—R, and a metal carbonate having a formula, M 2 CO 3 where M is a Group 1 metal, MCO 3 where M is a Group 2 metal, and M 2 (CO 3 ) 3 where M is a Group 3 metal, wherein the dialkyl or diaryl ether is produced at a temperature in the range from −25° C. to 70° C., and wherein the metal alcoholate is in an alcohol solution; removing the metal carbonate; and recovering the dialkyl or diaryl ether.