Immobilized ionic liquid/zinc chloride: Heterogeneous catalyst for synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides

Chemical fixation of carbon dioxide with epoxides to form cyclic carbonates proceeds very effectively under mild conditions by using immobilized ionic liquid catalyst in conjunction with zinc chloride without any organic solvents. The reaction temperature, carbon dioxide pressure, effects of different metallic complexes and the amount of immobilized ionic liquid were investigated. The optimum reaction conditions were 110 degrees C and 1.5 MPa, and the catalyst system was recycled and reused. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.