Synthesis of carbonates and related compounds from carbon dioxide via methanesulfonyl carbonates.

Carbonate anions resulting from reaction of primary or secondary alcohols with carbon dioxide, when added to methanesulfonic anhydride in cooled acetonitrile solution, yield methanesulfonyl carbonates, a new class of synthetic intermediate. Base-mediated reaction of the methanesulfonyl carbonates with alcohols, thiols, and amines yields carbonates, thiocarbonates, and carbamates, respectively. Overall yields for the three steps vary from 19% to 42%.