One-pot tandem catalytic epoxidation – CO2 insertion of monounsaturated methyl oleate to the corresponding cyclic organic carbonate

Conversion of unsaturated fatty acids, FAMEs or triglycerides into the corresponding cyclic organic carbonates involves two reaction steps-double-bond epoxidation and CO2 insertion into the epoxide-that are generally conducted separately. We describe an assisted-tandem catalytic protocol able to carry out carbonation of unsaturated methyl oleate in one-pot without isolating the epoxide intermediate. Methyl oleate carbonate was obtained in 99% yield and high retention of cis-configuration starting from methyl oleate using hydrogen peroxide and CO2 as green reagents, in a biphasic system and in the presence of an ammonium tungstate ionic liquid catalyst with KBr as co-catalyst.