Economical synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide and halohydrins using K2CO3

A highly simple, economical, and selective synthesis of five-membered cyclic carbonates was achieved by the reaction of CO2 with 1,2-halohydrins in the presence of K2CO3. This method allows the efficient preparation of cyclic carbonates (72-95% yields for monosubstituted cyclic carbonates and 43% for 1,1- and 1,2-disubstituted cyclic carbonates) under mild reaction conditions, atmospheric pressure of CO2 at 30 degrees C, and not only in dry DMF, but also in commercial "anhydrous" DMF. The reaction mechanism was elucidated using the SEM and XRD data of the by-products, KHCO3 and KBr.