One-step DMC synthesis from CO2 under catalysis of ionic liquids prepared with 1,2-propylene glycol

Abstract

Three quaternary ammonium ionic liquids with strong nucleophilicity and distinctive structures were synthesized with high yield and purity based on the 1,2-propylene glycol anion (CH3CH2OHCH2O-) derived from transesterification products. Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was in turn produced via a one-step reaction among propylene oxide (PO), CO2, and methanol (MeOH) by using the synthesized ionic liquids. The involved two-stage catalytic reaction of PO-CO2 cycloaddition and PC-MeOH transesterification was implemented without catalyst separation. Under mild conditions, the PO conversion reached 99.0%, with a PC yield of 99.0%, and a TON value of 119.5. Following the cycloaddition, MeOH was immediately introduced to achieve a PC conversion of 71.2%, a selectivity to DMC above 99%, and a TON value of 57.4 for the transesterification reaction. The influences of temperature as well as time for cycloaddition and transesterification were investigated. Cycloaddition of CO2 with various epoxides was also examined and all showed good performance. By taking advantage of the decomposability of as-prepared ionic liquids and the recyclability of decomposition products, a new catalyst circulation process was designed to complete the full cycle without introduction of any impurities into the product system.