Amidine-mediated delivery of CO2 from gas phase to reaction system for highly efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides

A novel, efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates from the reaction of epoxides and gaseous CO2 under mild conditions (1 atm, rt to 45 degrees C) was achieved in reasonable yields (65-83%) by using N-methyltetrahydropyrimidine (MTHP) that facilitated efficient delivery of CO2 from the gas phase to the reaction system.