NaHCO3 AS CO2 SOLID SURROGATE FOR CARBOXYLATION REACTIONS UNDER MECHANOCHEMICAL CONDITIONS

The valorization of CO2, the most abundant waste product of human activities, has become a priority for modern society. This study explores the innovative use of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as a solid source of CO2 for carboxylation reactions performed under mechanochemical conditions. We demonstrate that NaHCO3 can be effectively used to produce high-value chemicals such as cyclic carbamates and carbonates via ball milling with propargylamines and epoxides. This approach not only avoids the handling of gaseous CO2 and high-pressure cylinders but also highlights the potential of NaHCO3 in synthesizing pharmaceutically active molecules without the massive use of solvents. Our findings suggest that the use of NaHCO3 as a solid CO2 surrogate could significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gases and enhancing the valorization of CO2 in industrial applications.