CO2 utilization in a micellar system: synthesis of cyclic carbonates

Fixation of carbon dioxide from its waste streams into value added products, in organic synthesis processes, whilst challenging, would lead to great ecological benefits. To this end, a CO2 cycloaddition to epoxides seems most promising as it is a 100% atom economic reaction leading to valuable cyclic carbonates. However, many of the reaction systems utilized for their synthesis employ organic solvents, high temperatures, and high pressure. Thus, the micellar conditions reported here achieve a metal and organic solvent free approach, giving access to not only carbonates but also carbamates without the need for pressurization or heating. Extensive studies of interactions between micelles and carbon dioxide opens up pathways to use this gaseous reagent in aqueous media.