Efficient and Reusable Iron Catalyst to Convert CO2 into Valuable Cyclic Carbonates

Abstract

The production of cyclic carbonates from CO2 cycloaddition to epoxides, using the C-scorpionate iron(II) complex [FeCl2{k3-HC(pz)3}] (pz = 1H-pyrazol-1-yl) as a catalyst, is achieved in excellent yields (up to 98%) in a tailor-made ionic liquid (IL) medium under mild conditions (80 °C; 1–8 bar). A favorable synergistic catalytic effect was found in the [FeCl2{k3-HC(pz)3}]/IL system. Notably, in addition to exhibiting remarkable activity, the catalyst is stable during ten consecutive cycles, the first decrease (11%) on the cyclic carbonate yield being observed during the 11th cycle. The use of C-scorpionate complexes in ionic liquids to afford cyclic carbonates is presented herein for the first time.

Glycerol Valorization—The Role of Biochar Catalysts

“…The interest in cyclic organic carbonates as potential commodity chemicals has grown in the past years. Cyclic carbonates, in particular, five-membered ones, are used as excellent (high boiling point) polar aprotic solvents [ 16 , 17 ], industrial lubricants, electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries [ 18 ], synthetic building blocks for polymeric materials [ 19 , 20 ], monomers to produce polycarbonates [ 21 , 22 ] as well as other fine chemicals [ 23 , 24 ]. Their features, such as high boiling and flashpoints, low toxicities, odor levels and evaporation rates, biodegradability, and solubility in a large range of solvents, make them a target of interest.…”