1,3-dioxoles and 1,3-oxathioles

Developments in the chemistry of five-membered ring heterocycles containing two non-adjacent oxygens or one oxygen and one sulfur in the period 2008–2020 are reviewed. Application of theoretical and structural methods to these compounds is described including X-ray structure determination and NMR. The major reactions of 1,3-dioxolanes and 1,3-oxathiole systems are discussed. Methods for the synthesis of all the compounds are systematically covered. There has been a particular focus on the reaction of epoxides with CO2 to give dioxolanones and the large number of new catalysts for this process are surveyed. Dioxolane-containing systems have also made a significant impact in polymer science and this and other applications are covered