Samarium trifluoromethanesulfonate (Sm(OTf)(3)) was found to be a novel catalyst for synthesis of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) by transesterification of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with phenol. The best result was obtained by using Sm(OTf)(3) catalyst. The TON reached 21.8 mol DPC/mol Sm when the reaction was carried out at 190 C with the molar ratio of phenol-to-DMC 4:1 for 12 h. This catalyst could work in aqueous media and in air, and proved reusable. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.