A ruthenium complex exhibiting high catalytic efficiency for the formation of propylene carbonate from carbon dioxide

A highly efficient catalyst composed of (2,2′-bipy)RuCl3(CH3OH) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride is reported for the first time for the formation of propylene carbonate from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide under mild conditions (75 °C, 3.0 MPa). Nearly 100% selectivity and 100% yield of propylene carbonate was achieved. The catalyst can be easily recovered and reused several times without appreciable loss of catalytic activity, total turn over number reaching 2.04 × 104 after five catalytic recycles with a turnover frequency higher than 1000 h−1. A mechanism for the reaction was proposed.

Graphical abstractA highly efficient catalyst composed of (2,2′-bipy)RuCl3(CH3OH) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) is reported for the first time for the formation of propylene carbonate (PC) from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide (PO) under mild conditions (75 °C, 3.0 MPa). The catalyst can be easily recovered and reused several times without appreciable loss of catalytic activity. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide