Light-induced synthesis of unsymmetrical organic carbonates from alcohols, methanol and CO under ambient conditions.

The present work describes the first visible light-assisted, metal-free and organic base 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl guanidine (TMG) mediated synthesis of unsymmetrical methyl aryl/alkyl carbonates from the reaction of alcohols, methanol, and CO in high to excellent yields under atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature conditions.