Bromine-catalyzed conversion of CO2 and epoxides to cyclic carbonates under continuous flow conditions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja4079094

A continuous method for the formation of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide (CO₂) is described. The catalysts used are inexpensive and effective in converting the reagents to the products in a residence time (t_R) of 30 min. The cyclic carbonate products are obtained in good to excellent yield (51-92%). On the basis of a series of kinetics experiments, we propose a reaction mechanism involving epoxide activation by electrophilic bromine and CO₂ activation by an amide.