Sites for CO2 activation over amine-functionalized mesoporous Ti(Al)-SBA-15 catalysts

Activation of CO2 and its utilization in the synthesis of chloropropene and styrene carbonates over functionalized, mesoporous SBA-15 solids, have been investigated. The surface basicity of SBA-15 was modified with nitrogen-based organic molecules of varying basicity viz., alkyl amines (–NH2), adenine (Ade), imidazole (Im) and guanine (Gua). The surface of SBA-15 was also functionalized with Ti4+ and Al3+ species. The acid–base properties of these modified SBA-15 materials were investigated by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. NH3 and pyridine were used as probe molecules for acid sites, while CO2 was used to characterize the basic sites. CO2 was activated at the basic amine sites forming surface carbamate species (IR peaks: 1609 and 1446 cm−1). The latter reacted further with epoxides adsorbed on the acid sites forming cyclic carbonates. A correlation between the intensity of the IR peak at 1609 cm−1 and cyclic carbonate yield has been observed. The cyclic carbonate yields were higher when both the acid and base functionalities were present on the surface. The Ti- and Al-SBA-15 functionalized with adenine exhibited the highest catalytic activity and selectivity. There is an optimal dependence (“volcanic plot”) of the yield of cyclic carbonates on the desorption temperature, Tmax(CO2) in the TPD experiments. These solid catalysts were structurally stable up to 473 K and could be recycled for repeated use. In addition to density, the strength and type of amine sites play a crucial role on CO2 activation and utilization.