Direct synthesis of organic carbonates by oxidative carboxylation of olefins catalyzed by metal oxides: developing green chemistry based on carbon dioxide

In this paper we report on the ‘oxidative-carboxylation’ of olefins catalysed by either transition metal complexes or metal oxides. We discuss the oxidation mechanism under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions. In the former case the process is driven by co-ordination to the metal centre, in the latter a radical reaction takes place. The yield of carbonate is strongly dependent on the catalyst used.