Cyclo-addition of carbon dioxide to epoxides employing hierarchical silicoaluminophosphates molecular sieves

Hierarchical silicoaluminophosphates comprising dual micro/meso pore structures have been explored, and proven to be effective, robust, and recyclable materials for the production of cyclic carbonates in the absence of co-catalyst. Upon activation at the temperature range of 80-100 degrees C, treated SAPOs have been examined as catalysts for the reaction. The crystalline structures of the hierarchical SAPO were checked by P-XRD. FE-SEM images confirmed the morphology and TEM measurement showed the periodicity of the framework. The BET analysis revealed the surface modification. In the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxide (cyclohexene oxide, and styrene oxide), the hierarchical silicoaluminophosphate materials were explored where the activity of postsynthetic treated materials as catalyst was discovered to be superior. 100 % and 93 % reactant conversion were found for treated SAPO-34 and SAPO-5 catalyst, respectively.