Abstract
SynopsisEpoxides are a class of highly reactive three-membered cyclic ethers that have been widely applied to material science and technology. Besides their importance as monomers, epoxides have another aspect as highly reactive reactants for organic synthesis, which has prompted us to investigate their chemical transformations into new cyclic monomers that exhibit characteristic reactivity. The focus of this manuscript is such potential of epoxides as precursors of new monomers, which has been demonstrated by the successful reactions of epoxides with carbon dioxide and carbon disulfide to afford the corresponding 5-membered cyclic carbonates and dithiocarbonates, respectively. These compounds undergo the exclusive and highly efficient reactions with amines, leading to the successful syntheses of polyurethanes and their sulfur-analogues that are potentially applicable to adhesives, coatings, and other functional materials. The recent progress in development of highly efficient and energy-saving processes of the transformations, as well as designs and syntheses of cyclic carbonates and dithiocarbonates having functional groups, are described herein.(Recieved March 5, 2010)
