Efficient DMF‐Catalyzed Coupling of Epoxides with CO₂ under Solvent‐Free Conditions to Afford Cyclic Carbonates

Abstract

To develop a simple, low‐molecule, and cost‐effective organocatalyst for the coupling of epoxides with CO₂, we have screened this coupling reaction in different organic solvents and found that DMF is an efficient organic catalyst for the coupling of epoxides with CO₂ to give cyclic carbonates in high yield. In some cases, the catalytic activity of DMF can be significantly increased by the addition of catalytic amount of H₂O.

Keywords:

• Carbon dioxide
• catalysis
• cyclic carbonate, DMF
• epoxide

Acknowledgments

This project (20473043) was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China.