A lower alkanol, such as methanol is oxycarbonylated with carbon monoxide and oxygen to yield e.g. dimethyl carbonate at 50.degree. C.-125.degree. C. and 300-1500 psig in the presence of as catalyst, a functionalized inorganic oxide substrate (such as silica gel) typically bearing on the surface thereof a ligand of ethyl formate and 3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane--which has been reacted with a metal salt such as CuCl.sub.2.