In this paper, the process-of direct oxidative carbonylation of vapour phase methanol to dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is investigated. The impregnation method is recommended to prepare the catalyst using CuCl2 as precursor. Activated carbon ACl is employed as support and heteropolyacid (HPA) as promoter or as the second support. The direct oxidative carbonylation of vapour phase methanol to DMC is a very complex reaction accompanied by by-products. By means of a modified Gauss-Newton method, an intrinsic double-rate kinetic model has been obtained. Residue analysis and variance tests show that the model is adequate. (C) 2600 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.