Synthesis of organic carbonates including cyclocarbonates of terpenes

The use of CO2 as a chemical reagent is a particularly important path for the development of a new era where the CO2 produced by combustion processes will be systematically captured to avoid global warming. The synthesis of carbonates, in particular cyclocarbonates, is a good example for two reasons. First, it is done with what is commonly called an economy of atoms, which means that all the material of the reactants is found in the product. There is therefore no loss in the form of a by-product. Second, carbonates can themselves be used in the production of various polymers (polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyamides) currently generated in high tonnage from fossil carbon. Carbonates therefore have great potential for profitable use of CO2 on a large scale. The project proposes to develop catalysts for various carbonate synthesis reactions starting from different materials of plant origin.