Effect of liophilicity of catalyst in cyclic carbonate formation by transesterification of polyhydric alcohols

The effect of catalyst liophilicity is shown in cyclic carbonate formation by transesterification. 1,3-Dichlorodistannoxanes as liophilic transesterification catalysts facilitated cyclic carbonate formation from corresponding 1,2-diols and diethyl carbonate in continuous fashion without isolation of catalyst. Thus 0.5 mol% of catalyst could produce 1,2-glycerol carbonate quantitatively in 2 h with multiple recyclability. The product formed during the reaction was almost quantitative and did not require further purification. Isolation of catalyst at any stage showed retention of its activity and identity.