Synlett 2016; 27(06): 929-933
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1561309
letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Silica-Grafted Basic Amino Acids as Environmentally Benign Catalysts for the Solventless Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from Epoxides and CO2 under Metal-Free and Halide-Free Conditions

Abdol Reza Hajipour*
a   Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156, Iran   Email: haji@cc.iut.ac.ir
b   Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Medical School, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1532, USA
,
Yasaman Heidari
a   Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156, Iran   Email: haji@cc.iut.ac.ir
,
Gholamreza Kozehgary
c   Department of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, G. C., Evin, Tehran 1983963113, Iran
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 01 November 2015

Accepted after revision: 06 December 2015

Publication Date:
08 January 2016 (online)


Abstract

A series of basic amino acids immobilized onto solid supports that can play cooperative roles was developed and applied as environmentally benign catalytic systems for the solventless synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide under metal-free and halide-free conditions. The highest yield of styrene carbonate was achieved with silica supported l-histidine, associated with the acidic nature of silica: Si–OH groups on the silica surface act as a weak acid to activate the epoxide for the synergetic effect with the basic amino acid. The influence of various reaction parameters on catalytic activity was investigated. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited good recyclability.