Proline-Catalysed Amination Reactions in Cyclic Carbonate Solvents

Propylene carbonate is shown to be an environmentally friendly and sustainable replacement for dichloromethane and acetonitrile in proline-catalysed alpha-hydrazinations of aldehydes and ketones. Enantioselectivities comparable to those obtained in conventional solvents or ionic liquids can be obtained, even when using a lower catalyst loading.