Bifunctional organoboron-phosphonium catalysts for coupling reactions of CO and epoxides.

Recent years have witnessed intensive research activity in exploring novel metal-free organocatalysts for catalyzing the coupling reactions of CO and epoxides to afford cyclic or polymeric carbonates. In this direction, herein we report a series of boron-phosphonium organocatalysts for catalyzing the coupling reactions of CO and epoxides. These organophosphonium catalysts were synthesized in high yields by following a two step protocol involving Menschutkin and hydroboration reactions in succession.