Catalytic Processes for Chemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide into Cyclic Carbonates and Polycarbonates

Abstract

Chemical fixation of CO 2 has received much attention because CO 2 is the most inexpensive and renewable carbon resource from the viewpoint of green chemistry and atom economy. The kinetic and thermodynamic stability of CO 2 molecule presents significant challenges in designing efficient chemical transformations based on this potential feedstock. Currently, cyclic carbonates and polycarbonates are both valuable products, and the coupling of CO 2 and epoxides is one of the most promising and eco-friendly methods for chemical conversion of CO 2 into cyclic carbonates and/or polycarbonates. In this review, we will mainly discuss the synthesis of polycarbonates or cyclic carbonates catalyzed by metalsalen complexes through adjusting the architecture of the ligands and optimizing reaction conditions, such as temperature, pressure, co-catalysts, epoxide concentration. Furthermore, the recent progress for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates via the coupling reactions of epoxides and CO 2 mediated by both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts is particularly reviewed.

Green polycarbonates prepared by the copolymerization of CO2 with epoxides

“…Examples thereof are the reduction of CO 2 with H 2 to yield methanol or formic acid, the reaction with heterocyclic molecules such as epoxides to produce cyclic or polymeric carbonates, or aziridines to produce oxazolidinones . CO 2 fixation through reaction with the highly reactive three‐membered epoxide ring to afford cyclic or polymeric carbonates [Figure (A)] is a teeming field of research . Cyclic carbonates (CC) can find applications as green solvents with useful properties (high boiling point, high flash point, high polarity, and low vapor pressure), as electrolytes in Li‐ion batteries, and as intermediates for the synthesis of polymers and fine chemicals .…”

Kinetic modeling strategy for an exothermic multiphase reactor system: Application to vegetable oils epoxidation using Prileschajew method

“…Furthermore, they can react with carbon dioxide to create carbonated vegetable oils, which is a platform monomer for high added value polymers. [1][2][3][4] In terms of production volume, epoxidized soybean oil is the most produced epoxidized vegetable oils with a worldwide production of around 200,000 tons/year and a European production of around 9000 tons/year in 2011. 5 Epoxidation of unsaturated groups on vegetable oils is kinetically slower than epoxidation of unsaturated groups on shorter alkyl chain.…”

Carbon dioxide capture and utilization in petrochemical industry: potentials and challenges

“…Generally, however, the chemistry of copolymerization of CO 2 with organic compounds is not nearly as well developed as homogeneous catalysis. By far, the most common copolymers with CO 2 are polycarbonates, which is one of the type of biodegradable polymer [56,82].…”