Thermomorphic Polyethylene-Supported Organocatalysts for the Valorization of Vegetable Oils and CO2

A range of thermomorphic polyethylene-supported organocatalysts is prepared from N-alkyl imidazoles and polyethylene iodide (PE-I) with good yields (85-92%) and high funtionality (98-99%). The catalytic activity of these species is studied for the ring opening of epoxidized methyl oleate with CO2 to give the corresponding cyclic carbonate. The reaction is carried out at 100 degrees C to fully exploit the thermomorphic behavior of the organocatalysts. The optimized conditions (neat, 100 degrees C, and 20 bar of CO2) are applied to a range of epoxidized fatty acids, including an epoxidized rapeseed oil, to give the corresponding carbonates with good yields (75-96%). The catalyst recycling is also studied, and no significant loss of activity is observed after ten runs. The fatty carbonates are important intermediates for the preparation of non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs).

Automated summary

A range of thermomorphic polyethylene-supported organocatalysts were prepared with good yields and high functionality, and studied for the ring opening of epoxidized methyl oleate with CO2. The optimized conditions were applied to a range of epoxidized fatty acids, showing good yields of the corresponding carbonates. Catalyst recycling study demonstrated no significant loss of activity, making fatty carbonates important intermediates for non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) preparation.