Issue 4, 2021

Phase-controllable polymerized ionic liquids for CO2 fixation into cyclic carbonates

Abstract

A catalyst with activity comparable with homogeneous catalysts and easy separation like heterogeneous catalysts would be attractive for CO2 cycloaddition. Here, a series of polymerized bis-imidazolium based ionic liquids (PBIL-m) were synthesized and could act as homogeneous catalysts during the CO2 cycloaddition to epoxide process. They could be separated as heterogeneous catalysts after the cycloaddition reaction. PBIL-m was highly active for the cycloaddition reaction due to functional groups such as the imidazole ring, amino group and Br. Specifically, the solid–liquid transition behavior endowed the PBIL-m with comparable activity to its homogeneous monomer catalysts (BIL-m). Among these PBIL-m catalysts, poly(1-vinyl imidazole-3-hexyl-1-imidazole-3-aminopropyl)dibromide (PBIL-3) exhibited superior catalytic performance due to the appropriate bridge chain compared with other PBIL-m. Under the conditions of 80 °C, 1.0 MPa and 24 h, 99% propylene carbonate yield and 99% selectivity were obtained. The PBIL-3 also showed excellent universality and recyclability. A reasonable reaction mechanism was deduced that the imidazole ring, amino group and Br promoted the cycloaddition reaction under metal-, solvent-, and cocatalyst-free conditions. Therefore, the polymerized bis-imidazolium based ionic liquid with solid–liquid transition behavior is a promising candidate for smooth catalysis of CO2 conversion and utilization.

Graphical abstract: Phase-controllable polymerized ionic liquids for CO2 fixation into cyclic carbonates

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Sep 2020
Accepted
22 Nov 2020
First published
23 Nov 2020

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021,5, 1026-1033

Phase-controllable polymerized ionic liquids for CO2 fixation into cyclic carbonates

C. Yang, Y. Chen, Y. Qu, J. Zhang and J. Sun, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2021, 5, 1026 DOI: 10.1039/D0SE01293A

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