Synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO₂ cycloaddition to bio-based epoxides and glycerol: an overview of recent development

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions contribute significantly to global warming and deplete fossil carbon resources, prompting a shift to bio-based raw materials. The two main technologies for reducing CO₂ emissions are capturing and either storing or utilizing it. However, while capture and storage have high reduction potential, they lack economic feasibility. Conversely, by utilizing the CO₂ captured from streams and air to produce valuable products, it can become an asset and curb greenhouse gas effects. CO₂ is a challenging C1-building block due to its high kinetic inertness and thermodynamic stability, requiring high temperature and pressure conditions and a reactive catalytic system. Nonetheless, cyclic carbonate production by reacting epoxides and CO₂ is a promising green and sustainable chemistry reaction, with enormous potential applications as an electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries, a green solvent, and a monomer in polycarbonate production. This review focuses on the most recent developments in the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from glycerol and bio-based epoxides, as well as efficient methods for chemically transforming CO₂ using flow chemistry and novel reactor designs.