Asymmetric Catalysis with CO2: Direct Synthesis of Optically Active Propylene Carbonate from Racemic Epoxides

• DOI: 10.1021/ja049734s
• Publication Date: 2004-03-24T05:53:00Z
• Authors: Xiao-Bing Lu; Bin Liang; Yin-Ju Zhang; Yu-Zeng Tian; Yi-Ming Wang; Chen-Xi Bai; Hui Wang; Rong Zhang
• Keywords: Propylene carbonate; Kinetic resolution; Propylene oxide; Enantiomeric excess; Coupling reaction

This communication describes a convenient route to optically active propylene carbonate by catalytic kinetic resolution process resulting from the coupling reaction of CO2 and racemic epoxides using simple chiral SalenCo(III)/quaternary ammonium halide catalyst systems.