Synthesis of Asymmetrical Organic Carbonates using CO as a Feedstock in AgCl/Ionic Liquid System at Ambient Conditions.

Synthesis of asymmetrical organic carbonates from the renewable and inexpensive CO is of great importance but also challenging, especially at ambient conditions. Herein, we found that some metal salt/ionic liquid catalyst systems were highly active for the synthesis of asymmetrical organic carbonates from CO , propargylic alcohols, and primary alcohols. Especially, the AgCl/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Bmim][OAc]) system was very efficient for the reactions of a wide range of substrates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and the yields of the asymmetrical organic carbonates could approach 100 %. The catalyst system could be reused at least five times without changing its catalytic performance, and could be easily recovered and reused. A detailed study indicated that AgCl and [Bmim][OAc] catalyzed the reactions cooperatively, resulting in unique catalytic performance.