Efficient synthesis of styrene carbonate from CO2 and styrene oxide using zinc catalysts immobilized on soluble imidazolium–styrene copolymers

✍ Scribed by Kun Qiao; Fumitaka Ono; Quanxi Bao; Daisuke Tomida; Chiaki Yokoyama

• Book ID: 103835044
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 387 KB
• Volume: 303
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1381-1169
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molcata.2008.12.025

✦ Synopsis

Preparation of zinc catalysts (Zn/PS-IL[X], X = Br -, Cl -, BF 4 -, and PF 6 -) supported on imidazolium-styrene copolymers, as well as their catalytic use for the solvent-free synthesis of styrene carbonate from CO 2 and styrene oxide, are described. Among the catalysts examined, Zn/PS-IL[Br] was proved to be the most efficient. When used in a homogeneous system during the reaction process, Zn/PS-IL[Br] gave a 97.5% yield of product with a TOF value that can be up to about 3800 h -1 . Due to its immiscibility with ethanol, Zn/PS-IL[Br] can be separated like a heterogeneous catalyst through solvent precipitation, and reused at least three times for the reaction without significant loss of activity.