Magnesium-catalyzed synthesis of organic carbonate from 1,2-diol/alcohol and carbon dioxide

Low toxic magnesium and its oxide are proved to be a catalyst for highly selective synthesis of propylene carbonate (PC) through the carbonylation of propylene glycol (PG) with CO2 without any organic solvents or additives. Interestingly, the catalyst was demonstrated to be applicable to a variety of 1,2-diols such as glycol, phenyl glycol, and methanol, forming the corresponding carbonates in 100% selectivity. As a result, employing a low toxic and cheap catalyst could make PC synthesis much environmentally friendlier. A mechanistic insight into the Sn/Mg-catalyzed reaction of “PG + CO2” was also studied herein.