Magnesium-porphyrin as an efficient photocatalyst for the transformation of CO2 to cyclic carbonates and oxazolidinones under ambient conditions

Abstract

Coupling reactions of CO₂ with epoxides/aziridines to produce cyclic carbonates/oxazolidinones represent an important and attractive method to utilize carbon dioxide, which is linked to climate change. Herein, we report a simple and efficient magnesium-porphyrin as a photocatalyst for the formation of cyclic carbonates/oxazolidinones from epoxides/aziridines and carbon dioxide under solvent-free conditions and ambient conditions (room temperature and 1 atmosphere CO₂ pressure). The catalytic system is applicable to a wide range of substrates, including terminal and internal epoxides and aziridines.