Reusable and efficient polymer nanoparticles grafted with hydroxyl-functionalized phosphonium-based ionic liquid catalyst for cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides

•Polymer grafted OH functionalized phosphonium ionic liquid was first fabricated.•The OH group plays an important role for facilitating the cycloaddition reaction.•The catalyst shows good catalytic activity, stability and recyclability.

A promising new strategy for fabricating polymer nanoparticles that are grafted with hydroxyl-functionalized phosphonium-based ionic liquid (PNPs-HPIL) through copolymerization of EGDMA and HPIL was established. The PNPs-HPIL catalyst exhibits good catalytic activity for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates through cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides. At a catalyst loading as low as 0.47 mmol%, the PC yield is above 96.0% and PC selectivity almost 100%. It is noted that the hydroxyl groups of PNPs-HPIL play an important role for facilitating the cycloaddition reaction through the hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups and epoxides. Furthermore, the PNPs-HPIL catalyst shows good stability and reusability, which are beneficial to practical application in industry.

Graphical abstractA novel reusable polymer nanoparticles grafted hydroxyl-functionalized phosphonium-based ionic liquid (PNPs-HPIL) was first prepared, and evaluated as efficient for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxides. The as-fabricated PNPs-HPIL catalysts exhibit good catalytic acitivity, stability, and reusability, which are benefical to practical application in industry.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (110 K)Download as PowerPoint slide