Development of Carbon Dioxide-based Synthesis of Carbonate Derivatives, Carbamate Derivatives, and Silyl Formates

This review describes our recent developments for the efficient synthesis of carbonate derivatives, carbamate derivatives, and silyl formates using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a raw material. CO2 emitted by combustion of fossil fuels and other sources is a major cause of global warming. Synthesis of useful chemicals from CO2 as a raw material has potential as an effective method of reducing CO2 emissions. However, the use of reagents and reaction processes with high environmental impacts must be avoided. Our present synthesis methods are notable for both simple use of CO2 and environmental friendliness due to the use of biomass resources, recyclable and reusable reagents, low quality CO2, and inexpensive zinc and copper catalysts. The target compounds are all useful chemicals: carbonate derivatives are raw materials for polycarbonates, carbamate derivatives are raw materials for polyurethanes, and silyl formates are reagents used for introducing the formyl group. We expect that these environmentally friendly methods to synthesize useful compounds will make important contributions to reducing CO2 emissions.