Patents

The invention relates to the development of novel one-pot process for the  preparation of fatty cyclic carbonates from unsaturated fatty derivatives using t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP; 70 wt.% in water) and carbon dioxide (CO2) through oxidative carboxylation. This process uses recyclable metal  salen complexes, in particular, Mn (III) salen complexes, as catalyst and the reactions are performed under  ambient conditions. Varied forms of fatty compounds such as fatty alkyl esters, fatty  acids and fatty glyceryl esters including vegetable oils were converted into fatty cyclic carbonates with  moderate to excellent yields. Ethyl linoleate was converted into fatty cyclic carbonates at 88% conversion with 86% selectivity in 4h. This process efficiently uses abundantly available CO2 as one of the raw materials for  the preparation bio-based oleochemicals that can serve as alternate for presently used petroleum-based products.