Silanediol-Catalyzed Carbon Dioxide Fixation

Carbon dioxide is an abundant and renewable C1 source. However, mild transformations with carbon dioxide at atmospheric pressure are difficult to accomplish. Silanediols have been discovered to operate as effective hydrogen‐bond donor organocatalysts for the atom‐efficient conversion of epoxides to cyclic carbonates under environmentally friendly conditions. The reaction system is tolerant of a variety of epoxides and the desired cyclic carbonates are isolated in excellent yields. Life in the silane: Silanediols operate in conjunction with iodide to catalyze the incorporation of carbon dioxide into epoxides. The reaction system benefits from mild reaction conditions and the ability to prepare a wide array of cyclic carbonates in excellent yields. The excellent hydrogen‐bonding abilities of silanediols render them useful metal‐free catalysts in reactions of carbon dioxide and epoxides.