Rosin-based porous heterogeneous catalyst functionalized with hydroxyl groups and triazole groups for CO2 chemical conversion under atmospheric pressure condition

Abstract

Development of efficient, green and recyclable heterogeneous catalysts for the chemical conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates with excellent yields under atmospheric pressure condition is still a very challenging task. Herein, a class of biomass-derived hyper-cross-linked porous heterogeneous catalysts MPAc-Br and MPAc-OH-Br, based on easily available and sustainable rosin, was synthesized by Friedel–Crafts polymerization and the further N-alkylation of triazole groups. Compared with MPAc-Br, the bifunctional catalyst MPAc-OH-Br (bearing triazole IL groups and -OH groups) exhibited higher catalytic activity for direct chemical conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates (up to 99% yields) under metal-, solvent-free and atmospheric pressure conditions. The rosin-based porous molecular structure and bifunctional groups on the surface of MPAc-OH-Br played a very important role in the promoting the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides under the optimal conditions. Furthermore, MPAc-OH-Br exhibited good stability and reusability (96% yield after 10 recycles).