Aluminium based binary catalytic system for the solvent free conversion of CO2 to carbonates with high activity and selectivity

Abstract

An easily prepared and low-cost aluminium based metal complex catalyst was prepared using kojic acid (Hkoj) as a ligand, and this developed oxo-coordinated Al(koj)₃ complex showed high activity and selectivity for the CO₂ fixation reaction with epoxides under mild conditions without any organic solvents. Various cyclic carbonates were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%). This stable catalytically active Al(koj)₃ has strong Lewis acidity for the activation of epoxides, and meanwhile the hydroxy group in Al(koj)₃ may play a role in boosting the catalytic activity through possible hydrogen bonding interactions with the epoxide.