Diethyl Carbonate Synthesis from CO₂, Ethanol and Propylene Oxide in the presence of Dehydrating Agent of Ethylene over the novel catalysts of Supported Ni-Cu@Na₃PW₁₂O₄₀ and Mixed Ni-Cu@Na₃PW₁₂O₄₀

Abstract

Excessive CO2 emissions and alternative energy fuels are two major difficult issues. The utilization of CO2 into fine chemicals is an optimal route. Diethyl carbonate (DEC) is an extremely versatile chemical intermediate. DEC is used in gasoline, pharmaceutical, chemical and other fields. DEC synthesis from CO2 and ethanol is a typical green synthetic route. Ni-Cu@Na3PW12O40 catalysts were synthesized by two novel methods of supported and mixed. The catalyst prepared by mixed method showed nice catalytic performance. It was confirmed that water removal was the key to improving conversion efficiency. In the presence of dehydrating agent of ethylene, ethanol conversion increased from ca. 3% to ca. 40%. Propylene oxide (PO) was participated in the reaction and ethanol conversion continued to reach to ca.90% while DEC selectivity dropped by half. Under optimal conditions, our Ni-Cu@Na3PW12O40 catalyst effectively solved the two major issues above.