Environmentally Benign Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from Epoxides and Carbon Dioxide Using Binary and Bifunctional Catalysts
Seiji Shirakawa, Ken Okuno, Ryuichi Nishiyori, Mana Hiraki
Abstract
The extensive utility of five-membered cyclic carbonates has been well established in the chemical industry.Among the various methods available for the synthesis of five-membered cyclic carbonates, coupling reactions that involve epoxides and carbon dioxide are ideal.This review introduces environmentally benign catalytic systems for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates under mild reaction conditions.Application of chiral catalysts to the asymmetric synthesis of optically active cyclic carbonates is also discussed.CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Catalysis of tetrabutylammonium iodide in the presence of a Brønsted acid co-catalyst 3. Bifunctional quaternary onium salt catalysts 4. Simple amine hydroiodides as bifunctional onium salt catalysts 5. Potassium and calcium iodide-glycol complex catalysts 6. Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of cyclic carbonates 7. Conclusion