Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into dimethyl carbonate in a functionalized ionic liquid

•Amino-functionalized ionic liquid as a electrolyte and co-catalyst.•Ionic liquid for electrochemical synthesis of dimethyl carbonate.•Ionic liquid with amino group promotes CO2 activation.

Amino-functionalized ionic liquid was synthesized and used as an electrolyte for electrocatalytic activation and conversion of carbon dioxide and methanol into dimethyl carbonate with graphite cathode under ambient conditions. The amino-functionalized ionic liquid was found to be best performance for electrochemical synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and CO2 in the absence of any other additives due to its effective capture and activation of CO2. The effect of various reaction factors on the synthesis was also discussed.

Graphical abstractAmino-functionalized ionic liquid was used as an electrolyte and co-catalyst for electrocatalytic activation and conversion of carbon dioxide and methanol into dimethyl carbonate with graphite cathode under ambient conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide