One-pot reaction of CO2, epichlorohydrin and amine to synthesize 4-(phenylamino)methyl-ethylene carbonate catalyzed by ionic liquids

Ionic liquids were firstly used as catalysts for one-pot synthesis of 4-(phenylamino)methyl-ethylene carbonate from CO2, epichlorohydrin and aniline without the utilization of any solvents or additives. The effects of the ratio of epichlorohydrin and aniline, catalyst amount, reaction temperature, time and initial CO2 pressure were investigated. The catalytic activity of the reaction was affected by the anions of ionic liquids and followed the order of Cl− > Br− > OAc− > BF4− > PF6−. The possible reaction mechanism was proposed based on the reaction results.

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► CO2 activation under mild conditions in the presence of ionic liquids.
► One-pot synthesis of amino functionalized cyclic carbonate from CO2, epichlorohydrin and aniline.
► The catalytic activity of the reaction is affected by the anions of ionic liquids.