The solvent-free and catalyst-free conversion of an aziridine to an oxazolidinone using only carbon dioxideElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for oxazolidinones 2, 4, 9, and 11. See DOI: 10.1039/c1gc15850c

It has been found for the first time at room temperature that the reaction of an unactivated 2-alkyl or 2-aryl aziridine with carbon dioxide to generate the corresponding oxazolidinone does not need any form of catalysis or solvent to proceed in high yield, especially when using high speed ball milling. An oxazolidinone may be generated from an unactivated aziridine and carbon dioxide, at room temperature, using no solvent or catalyst.