NaCl catalyzed transesterification and hydrolysis of ethylene carbonate

•The first use of NaCl as a catalyst for the production of dimethyl carbonate by methanolysis of ethylene carbonate.•Low cost, low toxicity, and stable NaCl exhibited high catalytic activity (TON>700).•Kinetic isotope studies and DFT calculations support the proposed mechanism.•Seawater was successfully used instead of pure water with NaCl for the hydrolysis of ethylene carbonate.