Imidazolium‐2‐Carboxylate as an Efficient, Expeditious and Eco‐Friendly Organocatalyst for Glycerol Carbonate Synthesis

Abstract

Abstract An improved and greener approach towards the synthesis of glycerol carbonate, via transesterification, using 1‐ n ‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐2‐carboxylate as catalyst is described. The catalyst loading as low as 1% was sufficient to yield quantitative conversions. A plausible mechanism is proposed for the catalytic cycle leading to product formation.