Hollow MOF capsule encapsulated amino-functionalized ionic liquid for excellent CO2 catalytic conversion

Abstract

• Ionic liquids promote the CO 2 cycloaddition reaction. • The core-shell structure can effectively avoid the leaching of active ILs. • Catalyst shows an excellent catalytic performance under solvent and co-catalyst free conditions. The engineering of highly efficient and stable heterogeneous catalysts for catalytic conversion of CO 2 to high value-added products is highly desirable but presents a great challenge. Herein, we reported the synthesis of a series of multifunctional IL@H-Zn/Co-ZIF composite catalysts with a unique porous hollow capsule structure and encapsulated amino-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs). The unique hollow capsule structure of IL@H-Zn/Co-ZIF provides sufficient space for loading active ILs ([C 2 NH 2 Mim + ][Br − ]) and fast mass transfer of substrate molecules during catalysis. Furthermore, the microporous Zn-ZIF shell can effectively avoid the leaching of active ILs. Benefiting from the unique hollow structure, the resultant IL@H-Zn/Co-ZIF demonstrated excellent catalytic performance (>95% yield), and good recyclability (still remained about 90% activities after 5 cycles) when applied in the CO 2 cycloaddition reaction under solvent and co-catalyst free conditions.