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Histidine-catalyzed synthesis of cyclic carbonates in supercritical carbon dioxide

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Abstract

The coupling reaction of carbon dioxide with epoxides was investigated using naturally occurring α-amino acids as the catalyst in supercritical carbon dioxide and it was found that L-histidine is the most active catalyst. In the presence of 0.8 mol% of L-histidine at 130 °C under 8 MPa of CO2, the reaction of carbon dioxide with epoxides proceeded smoothly, affording corresponding cyclic carbonates in good to excellent yields.

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  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    ChaoRong Qi & HuanFeng Jiang

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  1. ChaoRong Qi
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  2. HuanFeng Jiang
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Correspondence to HuanFeng Jiang.

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Qi, C., Jiang, H. Histidine-catalyzed synthesis of cyclic carbonates in supercritical carbon dioxide. Sci. China Chem. 53, 1566–1570 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-4019-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-4019-7

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