A novel,and simple route for the synthesis of methyl propionate by the methoxycarbonylation of 3-pentanone with dimethyl carbonate in presence Of solid base catalysts was,developed. Solid bases with Moderate strength (such as MgO) facilitated the formation of methyl propionate, and the yield of methyl propionate,Could be linearly correlated with the amount of moderate basic sites. The function of basic catalysts was mainly attributed to the activation of 3-pentanone through the abstraction of alpha-H by base sites