On the mechanism of CO₂ electro-cycloaddition to propylene oxides

Author:

Sebastián Gallardo-Fuentes  Renato Contreras  Mauricio Isaacs  Jessica Honores  Diego Quezada  Esteban Landaeta  Rodrigo Ormazábal-Toledo  

Journal:

Journal of CO2 Utilization

Issue Date:

2016

Abstract(summary):

Abstract We herein present a systematic study on the mechanism of CO 2 electro-cycloaddition to propylene oxide, using both experimental and theoretical procedures. The study considers the analysis of mild and sustainable conditions to obtain cyclic carbonates from CO 2 recycling. Within the electrochemical approach, the application of an overpotential in the reaction enhances the reaction yield significantly with respect to the thermal pathway. The quantum-mechanical approach provides relevant information about the reaction mechanism. Specifically, the use of the Lewis acid catalyst Mg 2+ in the presence of the [C 4 C 1 Im][Br] ionic liquid provides the best condition for the electro-synthesis. The theoretical predictions were confirmed by a new set of experiments.

Page:

114-114