Capture of CO2 and subsequent hydrogenation allows for base/alcohol-catalyzed conversion of CO2 to methylformate in one pot. The conversion of CO2 proceeds via alkylcarbonates, to formate salts and then formate esters, which can be catalyzed by base and alcohol with the only byproduct being water. The system operates at mild conditions (300 psi H2, 140 °C). Reactivity is strongly influenced by temperature and choice of solvent. In the presence of excess of base (DBU) formate is predominant product while in excess of methanol methyl formate is major product. 110 °C yields formate salts, 140 °C promotes methylformate. The authors acknowledge internal Laboratory Directed Re-search and Development (LDRD) funding from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Revised: April 14, 2015 |
Published: September 15, 2014
Citation
Yadav M., J.C. Linehan, A.J. Karkamkar, E.F. Van Der Eide, and D.J. Heldebrant. 2014.Homogeneous Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methyl Formate Utilizing Switchable Ionic Liquids.Inorganic Chemistry 53, no. 18:9849-9854.PNNL-SA-99647.doi:10.1021/ic501378w