Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2016, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (6): 826-845.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(15)61085-3

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Recent advances in metal-free catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxides

Dong-Hui Lana, Na Fana, Ying Wanga, Xian Gaoa, Ping Zhanga, Lang Chena, Chak-Tong Aua,b, Shuang-Feng Yina   

  1. a State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China;
    b College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan 411104, Hunan, China
  • Received:2016-03-01 Revised:2016-03-22 Online:2016-05-30 Published:2016-05-30
  • Contact: Shuang-Feng Yin
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Support Project of China (2013BAC11B03), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21401054, 21476065, 21273067), and the Graduate Student Scientific Research Innovation Fund Project of Hunan Province (CX2015B082).

Abstract:

The aim of “green chemistry” and “atom economy” is to utilize carbon dioxide and replace harmful reactants such as CO and phosgene for the production of cyclic carbonates. In this paper, metal-free catalysts including organic bases, ionic liquids, supported catalysts, organic copolymers and carbon materials for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to epoxides are reviewed. Recent advances in the design of the catalysts and the understanding of the reaction mechanism are summarized and discussed. The synergistic effects of organic bases and hydrogen bond donors, organic bases and nucleophilic anions, hydrogen bond donors and nucleophilic anions and active components and supports are highlighted. The challenge is to develop metal-free catalysts suitable for carbon dioxide capture and fixation. The ultimate goal is to synthesize cyclic carbonates in a flow reactor directly using carbon dioxide from industrial flue gas at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. By using synergetic effects, a multi-functional approach can meet the design strategy of metal-free catalysts for carbon dioxide adsorption and activation as well as epoxide ring opening.

Key words: Cycloaddition, Carbon dioxide, Epoxide, Cyclic carbonate, Metal-free catalyst, Synergy