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     

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     

An efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate by oxidative carbonylation of glycerol

Glycerol carbonate was synthesized by the oxidative carbonylation of glycerol catalyzed by the commercial Pd/C with the aid of NaI.High conversion of glycerol(82.2%),selectivity to glycerol carbonate(>99%),and TOF(900 h–1)were obtained under the conditions of 5 MPa(pCO:pO2=2:1),140 oC,2 h.The highly active palladium species were generated in situ by dissolution from the carbon support and stabilized by re-deposition onto the support surface after the reaction was finished.Palladium dissolution and re-deposition were crucial and inherent parts of the catalytic cycle,which involved heterogeneous reactions.This Pd/C catalyst could be recycled and efficiently reused for four times with a gradual decrease in activity.Moreover,the influences of various parameters,e.g.,types of catalysts,solvents,additives,reaction temperature,pressure,and time on the conversion of glycerol were investigated.A reaction mechanism was proposed for oxidative carbonylation of glycerol to glycerol carbonate.     

Facile sulfur‐assisted carbonylation of diaminoresorcinol with carbon monoxide

4,6‐Diaminoresorcinol, which is a raw material of ZYLON (PBO fiber), has an instability in air atmosphere. Therefore, very stable benzo[1,2‐d:5,4‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐oxazolone recognized a useful equivalent of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol during the stages of production, storage, and transportation. By combining the sulfur‐assisted carbonylation of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol dihydrochloride with carbon monoxide and triethylamine under 0.1 MPa at 20°C for 4 h in DMF with the oxidation of resulting hydrogen sulfide salt with molecular oxygen for 2 h, benzo‐[1,2‐d:5,4‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐oxazolone was obtained in a quantitative yield. Also, carbonylation of 2,5‐diaminohydroquinone dihydrochloride and 2,5‐diamino‐1,4‐benzenedithiol dihydrochloride was smoothly performed to give benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐oxazolone and benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d']bis‐2(3H)‐ thiazolone, respectively, in good to excellent yields under similar reaction conditions. Furthermore, 2,6‐dimercaptobenzo[1,2‐d:5,4‐d']bisoxazole, which is another equivalent of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol, was obtained in excellent yield by the thiocarbonylation of 4,6‐diaminoresorcinol dihydro‐chloride with carbon disulfide in the presence of 1‐methylpyrrolidine at 20°C for 24 h in DMF. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:111–116, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20746     

Factors affecting glycerol production byPichia farinosa under alkaline conditions

Glycerol is an important and valuable chemical that can be produced from renewable resources by fermentation. The desirable features of a successful process are high values of substrate conversions and high yields and concentrations of glycerol in the product broth, coupled with rapid fermentation cycles. Of the various osmophilic and nonosmophilic yeasts tested for their ability to produce glycerol in the presence and absence of steering agents (sodium sulfite or sodium carbonate), an osmophilic yeastPichia farinosa (ATCC 20210) was found to give attractive yields. Important variables influencing glycerol production by this strain under alkaline conditions using sodium carbonate have been investigated. A rapid fermentation (less than 120 h), coupled with high glycerol yields (45%), has been obtained.     

Is CO2 fixation promoted through the formation of DBU bicarbonate salt?

The bicyclic amidines, 1,8‐diazabicyclo [5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) and 1,5‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0] non‐5‐ene (DBN), were used for the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide. The promotion for CO₂ fixation is often reported through the formation of a thermally unstable DBU or DBN bicarbonate salt. To examine the effects of the DBU or DBN bicarbonate salt, reactions of 2‐aminobenzonitrile with the DBU salt or DBN salt in dimethylformamide (DMF) were performed at 20°C for 24 h in argon or carbon dioxide (0.1 MPa). However, in all the cases, 1H‐quinazoline‐2,4‐dione was not obtained completely. In contrast with room temperature reactions, 2‐aminobenzonitriles and DBU bicarbonate salt in DMF reacted for 4 h under high temperature (80°C) and CO₂ atmosphere (0.1 MPa) gave 1H‐quinazoline‐2,4‐diones in good to excellent yields. At high‐temperature conditions, DBU bicarbonate salt is decomposed to DBU and carbon dioxide. Also, the carbonylation of 2‐aminobenzonitrile using DBU and carbon dioxide afforded 1H‐quinazoline‐2,4‐dione in good yields under similar reaction conditions. These results suggest that the combination of DBU or DBN as a strong base and carbon dioxide is much more important than the in situ formation of DBU or DBN bicarbonate salt for the acceleration of CO₂ fixation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:276–280, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21014     

Synthesis of quinazolines using carbon dioxide (or carbon monoxide with sulfur) under mild conditions

Sulfur‐assisted carbonylation of 2‐aminobenzonitriles with carbon monoxide using K₂CO₃ as a base under ambient conditions (1 atm, 20°C) to afford 2‐hydroxy‐4‐mercaptoquinazolines in excellent yields was found. This carbonylation was applied to chemical fixation of carbon dioxide under mild conditions. Carbon dioxide (1 atm) easily reacted with 2‐aminobenzonitriles at 20°C assisted by 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) to give 2,4‐dihydroxyquinazolines in excellent yields. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 11:428–433, 2000     

Enhancement of oxygen transfer by pressure pulsation in aqueous glycerol fermentation

Aeration plays an important role in the production of glycerol by fermentation with yeast. Effective aeration depends on a number of factors, such as amount of air, fineness of air dispersion, rate of agitation, and time of gasliquid contact. This investigation dealt with the effect of periodic variation in gas pressure on oxygen transfer measured by sulfite oxidation and glycerol fermentation in stirred tanks. The oxygen transfer rate measured with the sulfite oxidation method was improved by 20–30% under the condition of pressure pulsation (PP) at 30°C. The yield and productivity of glycerol were increased by about 26 and 6.8%, respectively, in 48 h by employing a glucose concentration of 250 g/L with PP at 30°C.     

Straightforward Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Tertiary Phosphine Chalcogenides from Secondary Phosphines,Electron‐Rich Alkenes,and Elemental Sulfur or Selenium

A series of tertiary phosphine sulfides and selenides have been synthesized in excellent yields (88‐99%) via a three‐component reaction between secondary phosphines, electron‐rich alkenes (styrene, vinyl chalcogenides), and elemental sulfur or selenium, proceeding under solvent‐free conditions (80‐82°C, 4–44 h). The interaction occurs via initial oxidation of secondary phosphines with elemental sulfur or selenium followed by noncatalyzed anti‐Markovnikov addition of the generated R₂P(E)H (E = S, Se) species to alkenes to afford the corresponding adducts with high chemo‐ and regioselectivity.     

Reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline with carbon monoxide and water

Modified catalytic system composed of selenium and cocatalysts such as pyridine and aniline, applied in the reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline in the presence of carbon monoxide and water is described. The reaction proceeds at 150–200°C and 3–4 MPa gauge pressure. After 1–2 h the reaction is complete, reaching nitrobenzene conversions of up to 98% with selectivity to aniline near 100%.     

(11)C] Carbon monoxide in selenium-mediated synthesis of (11)C-carbamoyl compounds

Using either amines, amino alcohols, or alcohols in selenium-mediated synthesis with [(11)C]carbon monoxide, 3 ureas, 6 carbamates, and 1 carbonate were labeled. Tetrabutylammonium fluoride ((TBA)F) was discovered to form a soluble and reactive complex with selenium and drastically increase the radiochemical yields. Of the selected carbamoyl compounds, one was a receptor ligand, one was an enzyme inhibitor, and one was a muscular relaxant pharmaceutical. The (11)C-target compounds were obtained in radiochemical yields ranging from low to almost quantitative and with specific radioactivity up to 1300 GBq/micromol. The radiochemical purity of the final products exceeded 98%. In one case, the corresponding (13)C-substituted compound was produced to verify the position of the (11)C-label. In a typical experiment starting with 16.4 GBq [(11)C]carbon monoxide, 7.0 GBq of LC-purified 5-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-[2-(11)C]-2-one was obtained within 20 min from start of the carbonylation reaction (84% decay-corrected radiochemical yield). The presented approach is an interesting alternative to the use of [(11)C]phosgene in labeling chemistry.     

Resolving the enigma of prebiotic C?O?P bond formation: Prebiotic hydrothermal synthesis of important biological phosphate esters

Important biological phosphate esters such as sn‐glycerol‐3‐phosphate, glycerol‐2‐phosphate, and phosphoethanolamine were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Phosphorus was incorporated into the biomolecules, leading to the formation of C O P type compounds hydrothermally. Only perlite‐catalyzed reaction at 180°C could result in the formation of sn‐glycerol‐3‐phosphate, whereas glycerol‐2‐phosphate could be easily synthesized at 100°C with or without minerals and phosphoethanolamine was obtained within a temperature range of 100 to 120°C. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:161–167, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20591     

Heterogeneous synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate catalyzed by LiCl/CaO

In this article, a CaO-based catalyst was prepared by impregnating chloride salts on CaO to develop a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate (GC) from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate. LiCl/CaO exhibited a high catalytic activity under moderate reaction conditions. The effects of the LiCl loadings, the amount of catalyst and the calcination temperature on the catalytic activity were investigated. The highest yield of 94.19% glycerol carbonate was obtained at 65 °C on CaO loaded with 10% LiCl after 1 h, and the catalyst had high stability in reusing work. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, CO₂-TPD, XPS and thermalgravity (TG) were used to characterize the prepared catalyst. It was found that the high catalytic activity of CaO after modification with LiCl is associated with the structural aspects and the amount of basicity of the catalyst. The Li₂O₂ species, which is a strong basic site that is formed by the substitution of the Ca²⁺ in CaO lattice by Li⁺, has great activity for transesterification.     

Hydrogen production by glycerol reforming in supercritical water over Ni/MgO-ZrO2 catalyst

Nano ZrO₂ and MgO-ZrO₂ were prepared by a self-assembly route and were employed as the support for Ni catalysts used in hydrogen production from glycerol reforming in supercritical water (SCW). The reforming experiments were conducted in a tubular fixed-bed flow reactor over a temperature range of 600–800 °C. The influences of process variables such as temperature, contact time, and water to glycerol ratio on hydrogen yield were investigated and the catalysts were charactered by ICP, BET, XRD and SEM. The results showed that high hydrogen yield was obtained from glycerol by reforming in supercritical water over the Ni/MgO-ZrO₂ catalysts in a short contact time. The MgO in the catalyst showed significant promotion effect for hydrogen production likely due to the formation of the alkaline active site. Even when the glycerol feed concentration was up to 45 wt%, glycerol was completely gasified and transfered to the gas products containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane along with small amounts of carbon monoxide. At a diluted feed concentration of 5 wt%, near theoretical yield of 7 mole of H₂/mol of glycerol could be obtained.     

An Operando FTIR Spectroscopic and Kinetic Study of Carbon Monoxide Pressure Influence on Rhodium‐Catalyzed Olefin Hydroformylation

The influence of carbon monoxide concentration on the kinetics of the hydroformylation of 3,3‐dimethyl‐1‐butene with a phosphite‐modified rhodium catalyst has been studied for the pressure range p(CO)=0.20–3.83 MPa. Highly resolved time‐dependent concentration profiles of the organometallic intermediates were derived from IR spectroscopic data collected in situ for the entire olefin‐conversion range. The dynamics of the catalyst and organic components are described by enzyme‐type kinetics with competitive and uncompetitive inhibition reactions involving carbon monoxide taken into account. Saturation of the alkyl–rhodium intermediates with carbon monoxide as a cosubstrate occurs between 1.5 and 2 MPa of carbon monoxide pressure, which brings about a convergence of aldehyde regioselectivity. Hydrogenolysis of the acyl intermediate is fast at 30 °C and low pressure of p(CO)=0.2 MPa, but is of minus first order with respect to the solution concentration of carbon monoxide. Resting 18‐electron hydrido and acyl complexes that correspond to early and late rate‐determining states, respectively, coexist as long as the conversion of the substrate is not complete.     

One‐Pot Direct Synthesis of Thiocarbamates from Aniline,Carbon Monoxide,and Thiols Catalyzed by Selenium

Catalyzed by selenium, oxidative carbonylation of aniline and thiols with carbon monoxide and oxygen affords the corresponding thiocarbamates mostly in moderate to good yields under solvent‐free conditions at ambient temperature.     

Palladaphosphacyclobutenes as catalysts in Heck and Suzuki reactions

Heck reactions of aryl halides with various olefins and Suzuki reactions of aryl halides with phenylboronic acid catalyzed by palladaphosphacyclobutene have been investigated. The scope of the Heck reaction has been investigated in N,N‐dimethylacetamide at 140 °C using NaOAc as base. Using 0.1% molar ratio of palladaphosphacyclobuyenes, aryl bromides were converted into 1,2‐substitutedethene products in good to high yields through coupling with both vinylarenes and acrylates. Actived aryl chloride reacted with styrene to afford 1,2‐substitutedethene products in moderate yields. The scope of the Suzuki reaction has been conducted in toluene at 110 °C using Cs₂CO₃ as base. Using 0.1% molar ratio of palladaphosphacyclobutene, aryl bromides reacted with phenylboronic acid to afford diaryl derivatives in excellent yield. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Towards a combined use of Mn(Salen) and quaternary ammonium salts as catalysts for the direct conversion of styrene to styrene carbonate in the presence of dioxygen and carbon dioxide

The use of oxygen in combination with carbon dioxide to afford the direct conversion of alkenes into cyclic carbonates could help to promote the greenhouse gas while minimizing the impact of the oxidation reaction on the environment. In this work, we focused, for the first time, on the association of two catalytic systems individually efficient for the epoxidation of styrene (Mn(salen)/O₂ bubbling/isobutyraldehyde at 80 °C) and the cyclocarbonatation of styrene oxide (choline chloride/CO₂ at 15 bar and 120 °C). First, the feasibility of the cyclocarbonatation reaction, starting from the non-isolated epoxide, has been proven as styrene carbonate was formed with a 24% yield. The objective was, then, to determine the best conditions allowing the overall transformation in a common solvent. Taking into account the differences in optimal temperatures and kinetics of the two individual steps, it was decided to vary the temperature during the reaction [first 80 °C (3 h) and 120 °C (23 h)]. Under these conditions, styrene was converted into the epoxide but, unfortunately, styrene carbonate formation could not be demonstrated. Blank experiments have clearly shown that isobutyraldehyde, which is essential to the first step, must be completely consumed before the temperature rise. Otherwise, autoxidation of the aldehyde in the presence of styrene oxide at 120 °C leads to other products than styrene carbonate.     

Synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate catalyzed by K2CO3/MgO

A series of M/MgO (M?=?CaO, KNO₃, KOH, K₂CO₃) catalysts were prepared by a dry impregnation method and used for synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate. It was found that K₂CO₃/MgO was the most efficient catalyst, with a glycerol carbonate yield of approximately 99% under the conditions: DMC/glycerol molar ratio 2.5:1, catalyst/raw material weight ratio 1%, reaction time 2?h, and reaction temperature 80?°C. FTIR, BET, TEM, and XRD were used for characterization of the catalyst and showed that the active sites seemed to be K₂O formed on the K₂CO₃/MgO catalyst. Finally, a recycling experiment showed that the catalyst was relatively stable and could be reused up to four times, at least, by regeneration.     

From symmetric glycerol derivatives to dissymmetric chlorohydrins

The anticipated worldwide increase in biodiesel production will result in an accumulation of glycerol for which there are insufficient conventional uses. The surplus of this by-product has increased rapidly during the last decade, prompting a search for new glycerol applications. We describe here the synthesis of dissymmetric chlorohydrin esters from symmetric 1,3-dichloro-2-propyl esters obtained from glycerol. We studied the influence of two solvents: 1,4-dioxane and 1-butanol and two bases: sodium carbonate and 1-butylimidazole, on the synthesis of dissymmetric chlorohydrin esters. In addition, we studied the influence of other bases (potassium and lithium carbonates) in the reaction using 1,4-dioxane as the solvent. The highest yield was obtained using 1,4-dioxane and sodium carbonate.