Green Catalytic Process for Cyclic Carbonate Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide under Mild Conditions

As a renewable and abundant C 1 resource possessing multiple attractive characteristics, such as low cost, nontoxicity, non‐flammability, and easy accessibility, CO 2 conversion into value‐added chemicals and fuels can contribute to green chemistry and sustainable development. Since CO 2 is a thermodynamically inert molecule, the activation of CO 2 is pivotal for its effective conversion. In this regard, the formation of a transition‐metal CO 2 complex through direct coordination is one of the most powerful ways to induce the inert CO 2 molecule to undergo chemical reactions. To date, numerous processes have been developed for efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO 2 . On the basis of mechanistic understanding, we have developed efficient metal catalysts and green processes, including heterogeneous catalysis, and metal‐free systems, such as ionic liquids, for cyclic carbonate synthesis. The big challenge is to develop catalysts that promote the reaction under low pressure (preferably at 1 bar). In this context, bifunctional catalysis is capable of synergistic activation of both the substrate and CO 2 molecule, and thus, could render CO 2 conversion smoothly under mild conditions. Alternatively, converting CO 2 derivatives, that is, the captured CO 2 as an activated species, would more easily take place at low pressure in comparison with gaseous CO 2 . The aim of this Personal Account is to summarize versatile catalytic processes for cyclic carbonate synthesis from CO 2 , including epoxide/CO 2 coupling reaction, carboxylation of 1,2‐diol with CO 2 , oxidative cyclization of olefins with CO 2 , condensation of vicinal halohydrin with CO 2 , carboxylative cyclization of propargyl alcohols with CO 2 , and conversion of the CO 2 derivatives.