Scalable Main Group Mechanocatalytic CO <sub>2</sub> Valorisation to Cyclocarbonate Species
Abstract
Abstract Over the past two decades, main group elements have gained attention as promising substitutes for precious metals in catalytic processes. Additionally, mechanochemistry is emerging as a field with the potential to promote catalytic reactions under mild conditions. Herein, we report a scalable, main‐group mechanocatalytic synthesis of cyclic carbonates from both solid and liquid epoxides, using CO₂ as a renewable feedstock under mild conditions with a gallium aminotrisphenolate catalyst. Unlike solution‐based methods that generally require high temperatures and/or high CO₂ pressures, this mechanocatalytic process operates at just 1 bar and room temperature. The developed mechanochemical method affords the targeted compounds in high yields while also enabling efficient transformation of multi‐terminal epoxides and avoiding the conversion losses typically observed in solution. Furthermore, this scalable method outperforms solution‐based approaches across all green metrics, setting a new benchmark for environmentally friendly synthesis.
Article Details
Authors (7)
Javier F. Reynes
Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica Facultad de Química Universidad de Oviedo Ave. Julián Clavería 8 Oviedo Asturias 33006 Spain
Lucia Álvarez‐Miguel
Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica Facultad de Farmacia and Instituto de Investigación Química Andrés M. del Río (IQAR) Universidad de Alcalá Campus Universitario, Ctra. Madrid‐Barcelona Km. 33,600 Alcalá de Henares Madrid 28871 Spain
F. Winkelmann
Max‐Planck‐Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser‐Wilhelm‐Platz 1 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
M. Felderhoff
Max‐Planck‐Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser‐Wilhelm‐Platz 1 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
Marta E. G. Mosquera
Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. Institute of Chemical Research “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR) Universidad de Alcalá Alcalá de Henares 28805 Madrid Spain
Christopher J. Whiteoak
Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica Facultad de Farmacia and Instituto de Investigación Química Andrés M. del Río (IQAR) Universidad de Alcalá Campus Universitario, Ctra. Madrid‐Barcelona Km. 33,600 Alcalá de Henares Madrid 28871 Spain
Felipe García