Microwave-assisted synthesis of cyclic carbonates by a formic acid/KI catalytic system

An environment-friendly synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxides with a HCOOH/KI catalytic system was performed in a microwave reactor. Various epoxide substrates were subjected to microwave irradiated cycloaddition using a HCOOH/KI catalyst. The effects of reaction parameters like catalyst composition, microwave power, CO2 pressure, and reaction time have been investigated. The synergistic influence of the COOH/KI catalyst in the reaction has been compared with that of an OH/KI system and was theoretically simulated using density functional theory.