A SAFE SYNTHESIS OF SYMMETRICAL CARBONATES FROM ALKYL HALIDES AND TETRAETHYLAMMONIUM CARBONATE

ABSTRACT

A safe and mild procedure for the synthesis of organic carbonates from alkyl halides and tetraethylammonium carbonate (TEAC) is described. This method avoids the use of classical toxic and harmful chemicals like phosgene and carbon monoxide and works under very mild reaction conditions. An electrochemically-generated derivative of carbon dioxide (a cheap and abundant carbon source) was used as the main reagent (TEAC).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by grants from M.U.R.S.T. and C.N.R. (Italy).