Synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO₂ and diols via electrogenerated cyanomethyl anion

The electrogenerated cyanomethyl anion reacts with diols in the presence of CO₂ to yield the corresponding cyclic carbonates in moderated yields. The reported methodology has been carried out under mild conditions, avoiding any addition of classical bases, catalysts. In this communication, the effects of reaction conditions - such as supporting electrolyte, cathode material, current densities, charge amount, diol concentration - have been investigated to optimize the carbonates yield.