N-Aryl and N-Alkyl Carbamates from 1 Atmosphere of CO2.

We have successfully isolated and characterized the zinc carbamate complex (phen)Zn(OAc)(OC(=O)NHPh) (1; phen=1,10-phenanthroline), formed as an intermediate during the Zn(OAc)2 /phen-catalyzed synthesis of organic carbamates from CO2 , amines, and the reusable reactant Si(OMe)4 . Density functional theory calculations revealed that the direct reaction of 1 with Si(OMe)4 proceeds via a five-coordinate silicon intermediate, forming organic carbamates. Based on these results, the catalytic system was improved by using Si(OMe)4 as the reaction solvent and additives like KOMe and KF, which promote the formation of the five-coordinated silicon species. This sustainable and effective method can be used to synthesize various N-aryl and N-alkyl carbamates, including industrially important polyurethane raw materials, starting from CO2 under atmospheric pressure.

Sustainable Catalytic Synthesis of Diethyl Carbonate.

New sustainable approaches should be developed to overcome equilibrium limitation of dialkyl carbonate synthesis from CO2 and alcohols. Using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and CO2 with Zr catalysts, we report the first example of sustainable catalytic synthesis of diethyl carbonate (DEC). The disiloxane byproduct can be reverted to TEOS. Under the same conditions, DEC can be synthesized using a wide range of alkoxysilane substrates by investigating the effects of the number of ethoxy substituent in alkoxysilane substrates, alkyl chain, and unsaturated moiety on the fundamental property of this reaction. Mechanistic insights obtained by kinetic studies, labeling experiments, and spectroscopic investigations reveal that DEC is generated via nucleophilic ethoxylation of a CO2 -inserted Zr catalyst and catalyst regeneration by TEOS. The unprecedented transformation offers a new approach toward a cleaner route for DEC synthesis using recyclable alkoxysilane.