New synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol using sulfur‐assisted carbonylation with carbon monoxide

The glycerol carbonate synthesis from glycerol, which is an inevitable by‐product of biodiesel production, was established. By combined sulfur‐assisted carbonylation of glycerol under 1.0 MPa of carbon monoxide at 80°C in DMF with oxidation by copper bromide(II), a facile synthetic method for glycerol carbonate in good yield was developed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:99–102, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20583     

Facile synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol using selenium‐catalyzed carbonylation with carbon monoxide

The commercial production of glycerol has increased considerably for several years, because of its rising inevitable formation as a by‐product of biodiesel. For the effective utilization of glycerol, a new synthesis of glycerol carbonate (4‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐dioxolane) that is used as solvents and raw material of plastics from glycerol was explored. By combined the selenium‐catalyzed carbonylation of slightly excess of glycerol with carbon monoxide and potassium carbonate under 0.1 MPa at 20°C for 4 h in DMF with the oxidation of resulting selenocarbonate salt with molecular oxygen (0.1 MPa, 20 °C) for 2 h, glycerol carbonate was obtained in good yields (83–84%). However, sodium hydride to form sodium alkoxide in situ lowered the yield of glycerol carbonate. Use of triethylamine, 1‐methylpyrrolidine, and DBU as bases gave poor results. Furthermore, styrene carbonate was obtained in excellent yield (90%) under similar reaction conditions. The catalytic synthesis of glycerol carbonate was also brought about in the mixed gas atmosphere (carbon monoxide:oxygen = 3:1, 0.1 MPa, 20°C). Glycerol carbonate and styrene carbonate were obtained in reasonable yields (197% and 119%, based on selenium used). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:541–545, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20640     

Selenium assisted carbonylation of alkyl aryl ketones with carbon monoxide

Selenium assisted carbonylation of alkyl aryl ketones with carbon monoxide leading to formation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds as C-carbonylated products is described. o-Hydroxyacetophenone 7a and its derivatives7b,7c, and 7d have been converted to the corresponding 4-hydroxycoumarins 8a,8b,8c and 8d in moderate to quantitative yields by treatment with an equivalent of selenium and carbon monoxide with concomitant formation of hydrogen selenide 9 (Eq.(8)). It was further revealed that oxidation of in situ formed hydrogen selenide to selenium with an appropriate oxidizing agent such as nitrobenzene permitted catalytic use of selenium for the carbonylation of 7. Possible rationalizations for the formation of 4-hydroxycoumarins are suggested.     

Facile synthesis of 2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazolines by sulfur-assisted carbonylation with carbon monoxide

2,4-Dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazolines were easily synthesized in excellent yields by sulfur-assisted carbonylation of 2′-aminobenzamides with carbon monoxide in the presence of a base, such as DBU or DBN.     

Novel synthesis of N,N′‐dialkyl cyclic ureas using sulfur‐assisted carbonylation and oxidation

The first example of cyclic urea synthesis from secondary amines by the use of sulfur‐assisted carbonylation and oxidation was established. By combined sulfur‐assisted carbonylation of secondary α,ω‐diamines under an ambient pressure of carbon monoxide at 20°C with oxidation by molecular oxygen (0.1 MPa, 20°C), a facile synthetic method for N,N′‐dialkyl cyclic ureas including 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐imidazolidinone was developed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:64–68, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20508     

Transition-metal-catalyzed carbonylation of allenes with carbon monoxide and thiols

In the presence of a catalytic amount of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(0), allenes undergo carbonylative thiolation with carbon monoxide and thiols to provide the corresponding α,β- and β,γ-unsaturated thioesters in good yields. In contrast, the use of rhodium(I) catalysts such as RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃ in place of Pt(PPh₃)₄ leads to copolymerization of allenes and carbon monoxide without incorporation of thio groups.     

Facile S-alkyl thiocarbamate synthesis by a novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur

A novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur has been developed for the synthesis of S-alkyl thiocarbamates. In the presence of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), S-alkyl thiocarbamates are synthesized in excellent yields from amines, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and alkyl halides under mild conditions (1 atm, 20°C). In the absence of DBU, however, no formation of S-alkyl thiocarbamate is observed. The present DBU-assisted carbonylation can also be applied to new synthetic methods for benthiocarb and orthobencarb (herbicides) and carbamoyl chlorides.     

Photo-promoted carbonylation of chloroalkanes with carbon monoxide by non-precious metal catalysts

The photo-promoted carbonylation of chloroalkanes with carbon monoxide was carried out under ambient conditions with copper and cadmium salts catalysts. The results indicated that the corresponding esters were produced with three salt catalysts, i.e. CuBr2, CuCl2 and CdI2. Among these catalysts, CdI2 was the most efficient in terms of ester yield and selectivity, particularly, 60% yield and 75% selectivity in the carbonylation of chlorocyclohexane were achieved. Furthermore, the yield and selectivity of the ester can be improved greatly by adding tri-n-butylamine in the CuBr2 and CuCl2 catalyst systems. On the other hand, the carbonylation did not proceed with single CdCl2, however, the catalytic activity of CdCl2 was increased greatly with NaIá2H2O as additive. As a result, we suggest that iodide ion plays an important role in the catalyst system of the cadmium salts.     

The carbonylation ofα,Β′-bipiperidyl with carbon monoxide

The previously unreported N, N′-diformyl-α, Β′-bipiperidyl has been synthesized by the reaction of α,Β′-bipiperidyl with carbon monoxide under pressure.     

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of benzamides with carbon monoxide

An efficient strategy for the oxidative carbonylation of aromatic amides via C-H/N-H activation to form phthalimides using an Rh(III) catalyst has been developed. The reaction shows a preference for C-H bonds of electron-rich aromatic amides and tolerates a variety of functional groups.     

Evolution of carbonylation catalysis: no need for carbon monoxide

Progress in organometallic catalysis began with the discovery of the Roelen reaction (hydroformylation with carbon monoxide and hydrogen) in 1938 and the Reppe reaction (hydrocarboxylation with carbon monoxide and water) in 1939. Since then, carbonylation chemistry by using carbon monoxide has occupied a central position in organometallic chemistry, as it relates to organic synthesis. There is, however, the problem of using gaseous carbon monoxide (a toxic greenhouse gas) in this chemistry. Recently, some strategies that address this issue have appeared. This minireview describes carbonylation reactions that can be conducted without the direct use of carbon monoxide. These carbonylation reactions provide reliable and accessible tools for synthetic organic chemists.     

Rare‐earth‐catalyzed alternating copolymerization of carbon monoxide with styrene

Rare‐earth acetates were used to catalyze the copolymerization reaction of carbon monoxide and styrene. Cupric acetate, 1,10‐phenanthroline, p‐toluenesulfonic acid, and 1,4‐benzoquinone were also added to the catalyst system. The structures of the copolymers obtained were characterized with IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and elemental analysis methods. The relationship between the catalytic activity and the catalyst composition was studied in detail. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 642–649, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10147     

Photoinitiated carbonylation with [(11)C]carbon monoxide using amines and alkyl iodides

Photoinitiated radical carbonylation with [(11)C]carbon monoxide at low concentration was employed in syntheses of carbonyl-(11)C-labeled amides using alkyl iodides and amines as precursors. Eleven (11)C-amides were synthesized in up to 74% decay-corrected radiochemical yields with reaction times of 400 s and with up to 95% conversion of carbon monoxide. Starting with 26.3 GBq of [(11)C]carbon monoxide, 10.6 GBq of 1-cyclohexane [(11)C]carbonyl-4-phenyl-piperazine (15) was obtained within 35 min from the end of bombardment (33 microA) and with a specific radioactivity of 192 GBq/micromol at the same time point. The influence of solvents was investigated. The described procedure extends the range of accessible labeling methods. The method may also be useful for preparation of (13)C- and (14)C-substituted compounds.