Phenol and organic bases co-catalyzed chemical fixation of carbon dioxide with terminal epoxides to form cyclic carbonates

Phenol can efficiently catalyze the reactions of terminal epoxides with carbon dioxide in the presence of catalytic amounts of various organic bases such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), pyridine, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, and triethylamine to give the corresponding five-membered cyclic carbonate in high yields (initial pressure 3.57 MPa; reaction temperature 120 degreesC). p-Methoxyphenol with DMAP is the best combination to give the cyclic carbonate in the highest yield.