Advancements in the Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Cyclic Carbonates Using Metal Organic Frameworks as Catalysts

Global warming has begun to show its impact on the environment, and it is time to take steps to manage CO2 emissions, so as to regain the balance of carbon cycle. In addition to various capture and sequestration techniques, conversion of CO2 to value added products is high relevant. However, the inertness of CO2 makes catalysts an indispensable part of the process. CO2 undergoes cycloaddition with epoxides to produce cyclic carbonates, which have utility in various applications. Considering the necessity for heterogeneity and activity under ambient conditions, metal organic framework (MOF) catalysts have recently emerged as prospective candidates for cyclic carbonate synthesis. These porous hybrid inorganic-organic crystals are also excellent materials for gas storage and separation, including CO2 gas. Thus, MOFs could efficiently capture CO2 and catalytically convert them to cyclic carbonates. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in the design of MOF catalysts for cyclic carbonate synthesis.