This invention provides a method for producing an alkylaryl carbonate comprising: a) contacting a stream comprising an aromatic hydroxy compound and a stream comprising a dialkylcarbonate in a reactive distillation column containing a bed of heterogeneous transesterification catalyst, the bed having a top and a bottom; and b) withdrawing a product stream comprising the alkylaryl carbonate from the reactive distillation column wherein the aromatic hydroxy compound is fed to the column at a first feed point located above the top of the catalyst bed. This invention further provides an apparatus suitable for carrying out this method.