FIELD: organic synthesis and catalysts. SUBSTANCE: invention concerns copper-based catalysts for synthesis of organic carbonates useful as substitutes of phosgene in synthesis of polycarbonates, isocyanates, and polyurethanes. Yield of product, activity, selectivity, and stability of catalysts are increased when catalysts are prepared on porous solid carriers with hydrophobic surface. Catalyst, in particular, contains 2 to 35 wt % of active component with general formula CuACl, where A is chloride anion or aliphatic alcohol of general formula R(OH)x, in which R is aliphatic C1-C12- radical and x= 1-4, on a porous carbon carrier and also oxides of II, III, and IV group elements or mixed oxides of these groups' elements. The latter are coked by unsaturated hydrocarbons having general formula CnH2n-2 with n= 2- 10 until carbon level in carrier is 15-50 wt %. Chemical formula of the surface of this type of carriers is characterized by summary concentration of carboxyl and carbonyl groups not exceeding 30 mcmol/g and presence of nonaromatic polyene structures having IR absorption peaks with weave number 1515 cm-1. Total specific surface of carrier equals 100 to 450 sq.m/g, of which 90% is the surface of pores with diameter more than 40 
and at least 35% is that of pores with diameter no more than 40-50 
, whereas volume of micropores represents 5% of the total pore volume. Improvement in preparation of organic carbonates is achieved by interaction of alcohols (weight flow rate 0.5-5 h-1) and gas mixture containing carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen at volume ratio (50-90):(1-10):(0-49) (volume flow rate 300-2000 h-1) at 130-220 C and pressure 5-20 atm in presence of above- indicated catalyst. EFFECT: improved catalyst activity and selectivity. 2 cl, 3 tbl, 15 ex
