Poly(ethylene glycol): an Alternative Solvent for the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonate from Vicinal Halohydrin and Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in this work proved to be an efficient reaction medium for the reaction of vicinal halohydrin with carbon dioxide in the presence of a base to synthesise cyclic carbonates. Notably, PEG-400 as an environmentally friendly solvent exhibits a unique influence on reactivity compared with conventional organic solvents. Various cyclic carbonates were prepared in high yield employing this protocol. The process presented here has potential applications in the industrial production of cyclic carbonates because of its simplicity, cost benefits, ready availability of starting materials, and mild reaction conditions.