Ionic liquids as transesterification catalysts: applications for the synthesis of linear and cyclic organic carbonates.
The use of ionic liquids (ILs) as organocatalysts is reviewed for transesterification reactions, specifically for the conversion of nontoxic compounds such as dialkyl carbonates to both linear mono-transesterification products or alkylene carbonates. An introductory survey compares pros and cons of classic catalysts based on both acidic and basic systems, to ionic liquids. Then, innovative green syntheses of task-specific ILs and their representative applications are introduced to detail the efficiency and highly selective outcome of ILs-catalyzed transesterification reactions. A mechanistic hypothesis is discussed by the concept of cooperative catalysis based on the dual (electrophilic/nucleophilic) activation of reactants.
Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino, 155 - Venezia Mestre, Italy.
Maurizio
M
Selva
Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino, 155 - Venezia Mestre, Italy.
Alvise
A
Perosa
Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino, 155 - Venezia Mestre, Italy.
Sandro
S
Guidi
Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino, 155 - Venezia Mestre, Italy.
Lisa
L
Cattelan
ionic liquids; organic carbonates; organocatalysts; transesterification