Selective Catalytic Synthesis of 1,2-and 8,9-Cyclic Limonene Carbonates as Versatile Building Blocks for Novel Hydroxyurethanes

From oranges to sustainable coatings, foams and adhesives: turning natural terpenes into renewable chemical building blocks has been achieved via a telescoped catalytic system consisting of an epoxidation-carbonation sequence. This work discusses the stereochemical considerations and cooperative effects in selectively making valuable mono-carbonates of limonene that may be used to access non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). More information can be found in the Full Paper by U. Hintermair et al. (DOI: 10.1002/chem.201905561).