# A Triple‐Catalytic, Fully Biogenic Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates

## TL;DR

This paper presents a sustainable method to create cyclic carbonates using natural resources and light, with no waste and eco-friendly results.

## Contribution

A triple-catalytic, fully biogenic synthesis of cyclic carbonates with 100% atom-economy is introduced.

## Key findings

- A three-step synthesis of cyclic carbonates from fatty acids, O2, and CO2 is achieved using visible light.
- The method uses accessible catalysts and avoids intermediate work-up procedures.
- The cyclic carbonates are used to make non-isocyanate polyurethanes.

## Abstract

Organic carbonates play a central role as functional platform molecules for the manufacture of materials and chemicals. The atom‐economical formation of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2 under mild catalytic conditions is a prime example of the concept of green chemistry. However, the sustainability of such strategies is often limited by the unfavorable parameters of the epoxide formation from olefin oxidation. Herein, a new, highly sustainable, triple‐catalytic approach to the formation of biogenic cyclic carbonates from all‐natural building blocks is documented. Three biogenic resources (fatty acid derivatives, O2, CO2) are combined with 100% atom‐economy in the presence of easily accessible catalysts (porphyrin, VO(acac)2, pyridine). Key step is a photo‐oxygenation with full incorporation of O2 into hydrocarbons. Use of the resultant cyclic carbonates in the synthesis of environmentally benign non‐isocyanate polyurethanes is demonstrated.

A three‐step synthesis of cyclic carbonates from biogenic resources (fatty acids, O2, CO2) is reported. The process operates via a visible light‐mediated hydrocarbon oxidation, with an overall 100% atom‐economy, in the presence of easily accessible catalysts (porphyrin, VO(acac)2, pyridine) but without intermediate work‐up procedures.© 2026 WILEY‐VCH GmbH