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DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259354
Betaine-Catalyzed Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates
Y. Tsutsumi, K. Yamakawa, M. Yoshida, T. Ema, T. Sakai*
Okayama University, Japan
Publication History
Publication Date:
19 January 2011 (online)

Significance
The betaine 1 catalyzed activation of carbon dioxide towards epoxide opening is reported. Under the developed reaction conditions, different epoxides could be converted into the corresponding cyclic carbonates very efficiently. Catalyst 1 and its para-isomer exhibited superior performance compared to other examined betaine structures. The CO2 adduct (A) proved to be preferably formed and isolable at lower temperatures, whereas at increased temperatures the tendency towards decarboxylation was higher. Determination of the temperature-activity correlation showed that for successful reaction towards epoxide opening temperatures above 70 ˚C were necessary.