Multi-amino functionalized triazine-based polymers as the catalyst for cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides

Designing efficient catalysts for CO2 cycloaddition to reduce CO2 emission is one of crucial for environmental issues technology. Herein, the multiple-amino functionalized triazine-based polymer (MAFTP) was prepared through the nucleophilic reaction of cyanuric chloride with melamine and ethylenediamine by a conventional heating method, which are favorable for CO2 adsorption due to their nitrogen-rich structure. MAFTP was characterized entirely, the CO2 adsorption capacity of MAFTP showed the CO2 uptake performance with the values of 5.73 cm3 g-1 at 273 K and 1 bar. MAFTP/KI catalyst exhibited efficient catalytic activity for CO2 fixation to epoxides. 99 % propylene carbonate yield and 99 % selectivity were obtained under 120 degrees C, 2.0 MPa for 2.0 h without organic solvent. Additionally, the catalysts could be recycled easily from the products after reaction by centrifugation and then reused 5 times efficiently. Meanwhile, the catalytic activity of MAFTP/KI to other substituted epoxides was discussed. Moreover, DFT calculation was adopted to analyze the possible cycloaddition reaction mechanism. The MAFTP/KI system is a promising candidate for CO2 chemical fixation attributing to the low cost, abundant availability, easy separation and high catalytic activity for CO2 chemical fixation.