Enantioselective small molecule synthesis by carbon dioxide fixation using a dual Bronsted acid/base organocatalyst.

ABSTRACT: Carbon dioxide exhibits many of the qualities of an ideal reagent: it is nontoxic, plentiful, and inexpensive. Unlike other gaseous reagents, however, it has found limited use in enantioselective synthesis. Moreover, unprecedented is a tool that merges one of the simplest biological approaches to catalysis-Brønsted acid/base activation-with this abundant reagent. We describe a metal-free small molecule catalyst that achieves the three component reaction between a homoallylic alcohol, carbon dioxide, and an electrophilic source of iodine. Cyclic carbonates are formed enantioselectively.

SUBMITTER: Vara BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4708058 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature