Results of screening tests are presented concerning a number of heterogeneous catalysts for the two-stage reaction of transesterification of dimethyl carbonate to diethyl carbonate. The tests were preceded by the activation of the catalysts. In the case of zeolites, dealumination led to an only slight increase in activity. For the most active catalysts kinetic parameters were determined necessary for the modelling of reactive distillation columns and process simulation. The process was analysed in which the transesterification reaction occurs in a reactive distillation column, with the best catalyst incorporated as an element of the structured packing. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.