Efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonate from carbon dioxide catalyzed by polyoxometalate: the remarkable effects of metal substitution

Tetraalkylammonium salts of transition-metal-substituted polyoxometalates, such as [(n-C7H15)4N]6[α-SiW11O39Co] and [(n-C7H15)4N]6[α-SiW11O39Mn], efficiently catalyze cyclic carbonate synthesis from carbon dioxide and epoxide. The catalytic activity is significantly influenced by the type of transition metal and the countercation (Co2+ ≈ Mn2+ > Ni2+ > Fe3+ ≫ Cu2+; (n-C7H15)4N+ > (n-C4H9)4N+ ≫ K+). Co- or Mn-substituted catalysts required neither additional organic solvents nor additives. Thus, polyoxometalates are promising as nonhalogen anionic components of catalysts for cyclic carbonate synthesis.