Insights on recyclable catalytic system composed of task-specific ionic liquids for the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide

Abstract

A series of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesised and used as single component and metal-free homogeneous catalysts to convert a renewable, inexpensive and non-toxic CO₂ feedstock into useful products. The cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to epoxides to produce cyclic carbonate was evaluated. A detailed investigation was carried out on a variety of factors that affected the reactivity and selectivity, such as the catalyst structures (nature of cation and anion). The effect of reaction parameters (temperature, reaction time, CO₂ uptake and catalyst amount) on the catalytic performance was also investigated in detail. High conversions and selectivities could be achieved under mild pressure condition (5 bar) using 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide. A synergetic effect of the acidic and basic sites as well as suitable hydrogen-bonding strength is considered crucial for the reaction to proceed smoothly. This protocol was found to be applicable to a disubstituted epoxide. Furthermore, the straightforward synthesis of cyclic carbonates by direct oxidative carboxylation from olefins was achieved using only 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide as a catalyst.