Hydrated Alkali Metal Halides as Efficient Catalysts for the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from CO2 and Epoxides

The synthesis of propylene carbonate from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide using hydrated alkali metal halides as catalysts in the absence of a co-catalyst and a solvent was investigated. The hydrated alkali metal halides showed much higher catalytic activity than the anhydrous alkali metal halides. Sodium iodide dihydrate was found to be the most efficient among them and it gave a 97% yield of propylene carbonate at 120 °C under 1 MPa within 1.5 h. The corresponding cyclic carbonates from CO2 and other epoxides using sodium iodide dihydrate as catalyst were also successfully synthesized.

摘 要在不添加任何助剂及溶剂的条件下, 考察了水合碱金属卤化物催化 CO2 与环氧丙烷合成碳酸丙烯酯的反应性能. 结果表明, 水合碱金属卤化物表现出远高于无水碱金属卤化物的催化活性, 其中, 以 NaIċ2H2O 的催化性能最好, 在 120 \r{ }C, 1 MPa 的条件下反应 1.5 h, 碳酸丙烯酯收率达 97%. 此外, NaIċ2H2O 在 CO2 与其它环氧化物合成相应环状碳酸酯反应中也表现出较高的催化活性.

Graphical abstractHydrated alkali metal halides show much higher activity than anhydrous alkali metal halides for the reaction between CO2 and epoxides in the absence of a co-catalyst and a solvent under mild reaction conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide