Folic Acid Promoted the Coupling Reaction of Epoxides and CO2

The process of hydrogen bond donor accelerating the cycloaddition of epoxides with CO2 is green access to high economic value cyclocarbonate derivatives. However, hydrogen bond donor still has certain limitations such as poor biocompatibility and narrow substrate scope. Our group found that folic acid could promote the coupling reaction of epoxides and CO2 through hydrogen-bonding. The reaction was used to synthesize various cyclocarbonate derivatives in good to high yields with the aid of folic acid and TBAB. In addition, benzoic acids and 2,4-quinazoline dione were synthesized in the presence of CuCl2/folic acid and PdCl2/folic acid, respectively. The reaction mechanism was proposed based on previous reports and control experiments.

Automated summary

The process of hydrogen bond donor promoting the cycloaddition reaction of epoxides with CO2 provides a green access to highly valuable cyclocarbonate derivatives. However, hydrogen bond donor has limitations including poor biocompatibility and narrow substrate scope. Our group discovered that folic acid can enhance the coupling reaction of epoxides and CO2 through hydrogen bonding. Various cyclocarbonate derivatives were synthesized in good to high yields with the assistance of folic acid and TBAB. Additionally, benzoic acids and 2,4-quinazoline dione were synthesized in the presence of CuCl2/folic acid and PdCl2/folic acid, respectively. The reaction mechanism was proposed based on previous reports and control experiments.