Mechanism of cyclic carbonate synthesis from epoxides and CO2.
Three interconnected catalytic cycles account for the title reaction catalyzed by a bimetallic aluminum(salen) complex and Bu(4)NBr. In the first, Bu(4)NBr acts as a nucleophile to activate the epoxide. In the second, Bu(3)N generated in situ serves to activate CO(2). In the third, the aluminum(salen) complex brings the two activated species together so that the key bonds can be formed intramolecularly.
North
Michael
M
School of Chemistry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Bedson Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK. michael.north@ncl.ac.uk
Pasquale
Riccardo
R