Dimethylcarbonate for the catalytic upgrading of bio-based derivatives

In the past three decades, the use of dialkyl carbonates (DAlCs) as greener solvents and as non-toxic reagents has gradually improved. For instance, dimethylcarbonate (DMC) has widely be employed as non-toxic reagent for catalytic alkylation, carboxyalkylations and transesterification processes. Starting from different bio-based chemicals it is possible to obtain a wide variety of derivatives depending on the type of catalyst employed. Inorganic catalysts including alkaline carbonates, faujasites, and hydrotalcites were proved to be active towards the selective alkylation of glycerol-based derivatives [1], [2], whereas organic catalysts (ionic liquids, ILs) promote, starting from diols, the synthesis of cyclic organic carbonates [3]. Asymmetric methyl carbonates can be obtained within a catalyst-free protocol from simple alcohols [4]. With solid heterogeneous catalysts, it has been improved the feasibility to work under continuous flow (CF) conditions.