DBU/benzyl bromide: an efficient catalytic system for the chemical fixation of CO2 into cyclic carbonates under metal- and solvent-free conditions

A simple, mild, and inexpensive catalytic system consisting of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and benzyl bromide was developed for the cycloaddition of epoxides with ambient CO2 under metal-free and solvent-free conditions. Moreover, a wide range of epoxides was converted to the corresponding cyclic carbonates with good to excellent yields (81-95%).