Efficient fixation of CO2 into organic carbonates catalyzed by 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ionic liquids

Several novel 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ILs act as the catalysts for synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxides without the use of any co-catalysts or organic solvent. Moreover, the 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ILs were compatible with base, which combined with K2CO3 were used as effective catalytic system for green synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 via ethylene carbonate without catalyst separation. Additionally, the mechanistic details of the fixation of CO2 into cyclic carbonate catalyzed by 2-hydroxymethyl-functionalized ILs were also elucidated by density functional theory. The process reported here represents a simple, ecologically safer, cost-effective and energy-saving route to organic carbonates from CO2.