Reactive Applications of Cyclic Alkylene Carbonates

The synthesis and use of cyclic alkylene carbonates as reactive intermediates first appeared in the literature more than 50 years ago. However, the range of their usefulness in industrial applications has only been fully realized in the past decade. In this article, numerous reactive applications of the cyclic alkylene carbonates, specifically the five-membered cyclics, are discussed. In addition, utilization of the chemistry presented in this review for the preparation of industrially useful monomers, polymers, surfactants, plasticizers, cross-linking agents, curing agents, and solvents, to name a few, is also discussed.