Synthesis of Oxazolidin-2-ones from Unsaturated Amines with CO2 by Using Homogeneous Catalysis

Carbon dioxide (CO2), a well-known greenhouse gas, is also a nontoxic, readily accessible, and renewable one-carbon (C1) source. However, owing to its thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness, the efficient utilization of CO2 is challenging. Much effort has been devoted to achieving efficient and selective organic transformations of CO2. Recently, the synthesis of important oxazolidin-2-ones from unsaturated amines by using CO2 has attracted much attention and been heavily studied. This Focus Review presents recent advances in this area by using homogenous catalysis. The cyclization of amines that contain alkynes, alkenes, and allenes with CO2 is discussed, and possible reaction mechanisms and applications of these transformations are also described.