DABCO-catalyzed formation of 4-methoxy-1,3-dioxolan-2-ones and their synthetic applications in the aromatic electrophilic substitution

DABCO is a very effective catalyst in the formation of 4-methoxy-1,3-dioxolan-2-ones 10 from the corresponding α-carbonatoaldehydes 8 intermediates. The Friedel–Crafts reaction pathway of the cyclic carbonate 10 is dependent on the electron density of the aromatic nucleophiles.