The correlation between the basic properties of solid catalysts and the reaction rate of the selective synthesis of unsymmetrical organic carbonates via direct condensation of diethylcarbonate (DEC) and alcohols was investigated. A detailed kinetic study of the transesterification of 1-phenylethanol and DEC was made with catalysts with different basic strengths. The solids included fluorinated hydrotalcite, MgLa mixed oxides, CsF (pure or ...