The coupling reaction of carbon monoxide to diethyl oxalate in the presence of ethyl nitrite at atmospheric pressure over supported palladium catalyst was investigated in a continuous flow integral-type fixed-bed reactor with the aim of kinetic modeling and reactor performance studies. The effect of reaction conditions on the global rate and selectivity was studied. The main products formed were diethyl oxalate (DEO) and diethyl carbonate (DEC). The results at d(p) < 3 mm were found to be in kinetic regime, and both intraparticle and external mass-transfer resistance were negligible. Based on the experimental data, power law rate model was used to represent the formation of DEO and DEC. The statistic test and the comparison of conversion and selectively calculated with the observed showed that the rate expressions are of rather high confidence. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.