Chapter 7 - Conversion of CO2 to Valuable Chemicals: Organic Carbonate as Green Candidates for the Replacement of Noxious Reactants

Abstract

Abstract Due to their chemical versatility and harmless nature, organic carbonates (OCs) have been indicated as proper raw materials for the replacement of noxious and waste-producing reactants. In particular, from the development of chlorine-free processes for the synthesis of OCs, the design of industrial processes based on the conversion of the latter has become a crucial topic for both academia and industry. The industrialization of chemical processes that involve the use of CO2 as starting material for the synthesis of OC finally made OCs the sustainable counterpart of halogenated compounds in alkylation and carboxylation reactions. In this chapter, insights on the evolution and current development of organic carbonates synthesis and their industrial application will be given, pointing out the industrial processes in which organic carbonates chemistry provided a viable, sustainable alternative to traditional approaches.