The Guanidine-Promoted Direct Synthesis of Open-Chained Carbonates

Abstract

In order to reduce CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere, chemical fixation methodologies were developed and proved to be promising. In general, CO2 was turned into cyclic carbonates by cycloaddition with epoxides. However, the cyclic carbonates need to be converted into open-chained carbonates by transesterification for industrial usage, which results in wasted energy and materials. Herein, we report a process catalyzed by tetramethylguanidine (TMG) to afford linear carbonates directly. This process is greener and shows potential for industrial applications.