Synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2 catalyzed by potassium iodide and amino alcohols

•Readily available and easy to handle catalyst system.•Solvent free and mild reaction conditions (90 °C, 10 bar CO2, 2 h).•12 examples; excellent yields up to 98%.

Amino alcohols in combination with potassium iodide represent efficient catalytic systems for the coupling reaction between epoxides and carbon dioxide to give cyclic carbonates. The presence of hydroxyl groups significantly enhances the catalytic activity of the catalyst system. Moreover, polyvalent amino alcohol, triethanolamine was identified as very active catalyst affording the highest yield of cyclic carbonates. We propose that triethanolamine acts as phase transfer catalyst, activates the epoxide via hydrogen bonding and in addition activates CO2 and hence showing significant synergistic effects. Various non-functionalized and functionalized epoxides were converted into the corresponding cyclic carbonates under mild and solvent free conditions within short reaction time. The catalytic system and reaction conditions represent a readily available and economical alternative for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates.

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