Xiao-Yong Dou

A CO2/H2O2-tunable reaction: direct conversion of styrene into styrene carbonate catalyzed by sodium phosphotungstate/n-Bu4NBr

Inspired by biomimetic oxybromination, a binary catalyst system composed of sodium phosphotungstate and n-Bu4NBr (TBAB) was developed for facile synthesis of styrene carbonate in a single operation from styrene and CO2 using 30% H2O2 as an oxidant. Notably, the presence of a base like NaHCO3 markedly improved the formation of styrene carbonate. Interestingly, an oxidized product, i.e.phenacyl benzoate, could be obtained exclusively in good yield directly from styrene in the absence of CO2 under the appropriate reaction conditions.

Efficient iron(III)-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of alkynes, CH2Cl2 and amines to propargylamines

An iron(III)-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of alkynes, CH(2)Cl(2) and amines was developed for facile synthesis of propargylamines. Preliminary mechanism investigation using in situ FT-IR reveals that the crucial Fe-acetylide intermediate could be formed through C-H bond activation of alkynes thanks to cooperative effect of FeCl(3) and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine.

Poly(ethylene glycol): an Alternative Solvent for the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonate from Vicinal Halohydrin and Carbon Dioxide

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in this work proved to be an efficient reaction medium for the reaction of vicinal halohydrin with carbon dioxide in the presence of a base to synthesise cyclic carbonates. Notably, PEG-400 as an environmentally friendly solvent exhibits a unique influence on reactivity compared with conventional organic solvents. Various cyclic carbonates were prepared in high yield employing this protocol. The process presented here has potential applications in the industrial production of cyclic carbonates because of its simplicity, cost benefits, ready availability of starting materials, and mild reaction conditions.

Proline-Catalyzed Synthesis of 5-Aryl-2-oxazolidinones from Carbon Dioxide and Aziridines Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract Natural α-amino acids were proven to be ecofriendly and recyclable catalysts for the carboxylation of aziridines with CO2 without utilization of any organic solvents or additives. Notably, a series of 5-aryl-2-oxazolidinones were obtained in good yield together with excellent chemo- and regioselectivity under mild conditions using proline as the catalyst. Notably, the catalyst could be recycled more than five times after a simple separation procedure without appreciable loss of catalytic activity. This process represents a promising strategy for homogeneous catalyst recycling. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT