Provided is a process for preparation of dialkyl carbonates, comprising the step of performing oxidative carbonylation of an alcohol in liquid phase in the presence of CO and O2, to form dialkyl carbonate in a catalyst system comprising a metal halide as catalyst and at least one nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of imidazole derivatives (excluding unsubstituted imidazole), benzoimidazole derivatives, pyridazine derivatives, carbazole, acridine and non-cyclic amines as auxiliary catalyst. The process of the invention, by using above catalyst system, can increase the conversion ratio of alcohol and the selectivity of the oxidative carbonylation reaction, thus increasing the total yield of dialkyl carbonate. In addition, the process of the invention has the advantages of reducing the required amount of the catalyst and causing less corrosion to the reactor.