Efficient fixation of CO2 into organic carbonates catalyzed by 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ionic liquids

Abstract

Several novel 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ILs act as the catalysts for synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO₂ and epoxides without the use of any co-catalysts or organic solvent. Moreover, the 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ILs were compatible with base, which combined with K₂CO₃ were used as effective catalytic system for green synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO₂via ethylene carbonate without catalyst separation. Additionally, the mechanistic details of the fixation of CO₂ into cyclic carbonate catalyzed by 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ILs were also elucidated by density functional theory. The process reported here represents a simple, ecologically safer, cost-effective and energy-saving route to organic carbonates from CO₂.