Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclic Carbonates by One‐Pot Reactions of Carbon Dioxide, Epibromohydrin, and Phenols, Thiophenols, or Carboxylic Acids Catalyzed by Ionic Liquids

Abstract

The one‐pot reactions of CO 2 , epibromohydrin, and phenols, thiophenols, or carboxylic acids catalyzed by 1‐butyl‐3‐[(3‐hydroxyphenyl)methyl]imidazolium bromide were investigated. Three kinds of cyclic carbonates with ether, thioether, or ester groups were synthesized under mild reaction conditions in good‐to‐high yields. Reaction‐mechanism studies indicated that the proton exchange between the alkoxide formed through the ring‐opening reaction of epibromohydrin with 1‐bromo‐3‐phenoxy‐2‐propanol plays a crucial role in this synthetic route. The catalyst 1‐butyl‐3‐[(3‐hydroxyphenyl)methyl]imidazolium bromide was transformed to the corresponding cyclic‐carbonate‐functionalized ionic liquid during the reaction. This transformation did not affect its catalytic performance in the reaction.