Cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation of epoxides to β-lactones promoted by gallium porphyrin

• Published in: Molecular catalysis Vol. 533; p. 112779
• Main Authors: Li, Huimin, Tang, Yitian, Li, Zhijian, Li, Yonggang, Chen, Baoshu, Shen, Chaoren, Huang, Zheng, Dong, Kaiwu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Carbonylation; Cobalt; Epoxide; Gallium porphyrin; Lactone; Lactone; Carbonylation; Gallium porphyrin; Cobalt; Epoxide
• ISSN: 2468-8231; 2468-8231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mcat.2022.112779

•Ga(III) porphyrin complexes were firstly developed as the Lewis acid catalyst for the Co-catalyzed carbonylation of epoxides to β-lactones.•The activity of Ga(III) porphyrin complexes is comparable to the state-of-the-art catalyst systems consisting of Al(III) or Cr(III)•Large-scale reaction (>200 g of β-butyrolactone) revealed the potential practical application of this catalyst system.•Reusing experiments of Ga(III) porphyrin complexes demonstrated their durability, and a total TON of 16,960 based on Ga after 10 runs was obtained. Oxophilic Ga(III) porphyrin complexes were developed to replace Al(III) or toxic Cr(III) complexes as the Lewis acid catalyst to achieve the Co-catalyzed carbonylation of epoxides to β-lactones. Its performance is comparable to the state-of-the-art catalyst systems consisting of Al(III) or Cr(III). Large-scale reaction using the combination of (TPP)GaCl and Co2(CO)8 in low loading revealed its potential application for the preparation of β-butyrolactone from propylene oxide and CO. [Display omitted]