Bromine-catalyzed conversion of CO2 and epoxides to cyclic carbonates under continuous flow conditions.

A continuous method for the formation of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide (CO2) is described. The catalysts used are inexpensive and effective in converting the reagents to the products in a residence time (t(R)) of 30 min. The cyclic carbonate products are obtained in good to excellent yield (51-92%). On the basis of a series of kinetics experiments, we propose a reaction mechanism involving epoxide activation by electrophilic bromine and CO2 activation by an amide.