Effective synthesis of propylene carbonate from propylene glycol and carbon dioxide by alkali carbonates

Alkali carbonates were first used as effective catalysts for the synthesis of propylene carbonate from propylene glycol and carbon dioxide in the presence of acetonitrile. Acetonitrile in the reaction acted as not only the solvent but also the dehydrating reagent to remove the water produced from the reaction. Interestingly, upon ammonium carbonate being introduced into the reaction system, the catalytic selectivity was significantly enhanced.