Diversification of product-derived ionic liquids and application in DMC synthesis without introducing any impurities

Abstract

Various strongly basic ionic liquids with distinctive structures, including single and double ended quaternary ammonium and phosphorus salts, were first synthesized based on hydroxyethoxy anion (HOCH2CH2O–) from the product ethylene glycol. Nature was characterized by NMR, FTIR, TG and acid-base titration. Its alkali strength was equivalent to that of sodium methoxide, demonstrating superior alkalinity. Influences of cation structures and C1-C4 alcohols structures on transesterification efficiency were investigated. Under mild conditions (68 °C for 5 min), DMC yield was 42.8% with a TOF value of 2853.6 h−1 when [TBAB]OCH2CH2OH as catalyst with only 0.18% EC molar content, indicating good catalytic performance. Comparison was made for reaction results between the synthesized catalysts and reported catalysts in literatures. The reaction mechanism was further deduced. Activation energies of positive and reverse reactions were determined as Ea+=32.0 kJ·mol−1 and Ea-=15.3 kJ·mol−1 through kinetics calculation. Relying on its decomposability and recyclability of decomposition products, a new catalyst circulation process without introducing any impurities was proposed and verified.