Alkylcarbonate ionic liquids are shown to be chemically active CO2 surrogates for transcarboxylating cyclohexene oxide to produce poly-carbonates. Catalytic equivalents of alkylcarbonate ionic liquids can be added to copolymerizations of cyclohexene oxide/CO2 to in-crease the yield and selectivity of the polymer. On the other hand, in the case of propylene oxide, polymerization is suppressed, and pro-pylene oxide is converted to propylene carbonate. The suppression of polymerization is due to the high activity of the alkylcarbonate ionic liquids towards carboxylation of epoxides for cyclic carbonate formation. The reactivity of alkylcarbonate ionic liquids with propylene oxide is sufficient enough that propylene carbonate is produced in the absence of catalyst at pressures as low as 1 atm at 60 °C.
Revised: January 22, 2021 |
Published: July 1, 2019
Citation
Kothandaraman J., J. Zhang, V. Glezakou, M.T. Mock, and D.J. Heldebrant. 2019.Chemical Transformations of Captured CO2 into Cyclic and Polymeric Carbonates.Journal of CO2 utilization 32.PNNL-SA-139496.doi:10.1016/j.jcou.2019.04.020