5-Membered N-heterocyclic compounds by dimethyl carbonate chemistry

Aliphatic and aromatic 1,4-bifunctional compounds bearing a primary alcoholic function and an amine can be efficiently cyclised with dimethyl carbonates in the presence of a base to achieve 5-membered N-heterocyclic compounds. This novel synthetic pathway is quantitative, one-pot and green as it does not involve the use of chlorine solvents or reagent.