Direct synthesis of cyclic carbonates from olefins and CO 2 via ionic liquid catalysis with mutually promoting bifunctional groups

Direct synthesis of cyclic carbonates from olefins and CO 2 via ionic liquid catalysis with mutually promoting bifunctional groups Full article

Journal

Green Chemistry
ISSN: 1463-9262 , E-ISSN: 1463-9270

Output data

Year: 2026, DOI: 10.1039/d5gc06239j

Authors

Xu Li-Feng ¹ , Xie Wen-Jun ¹ , Chen Shan-Shan ¹ , Terent'ev Alexander O. ² , Li Hong-Ru ³ , He Liang-Nian ¹

Affiliations

1	State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
2	N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 47 Leninsky Prosp., Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
3	College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China

The oxidative carboxylation of olefins is a thermodynamically and economically favorable strategy for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates. As a common oxidant, aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution serves as a cost-effective and green chemical. Herein, we develop a bifunctional ionic liquid, which has both the trifluoroacetyl group as the epoxidation reactive site and quaternary ammonium salt for promoting the cycloaddition reaction. The two active sites work synergistically through the electronic effect, thereby rendering two subsequent steps compatible and allowing the target reaction to proceed efficiently and selectively accordingly. The introduction of quaternary ammonium salt enhances the selectivity of epoxides at 80 °C. The trifluoroacetyl group augments the activating capability of the quaternary ammonium site toward epoxides and ultimately allows the cycloaddition reaction to proceed efficiently at a lower temperature. With hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant, the bifunctional ionic liquid catalyst facilitates a two-step process for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from olefins and CO2 in high yield, reaching up to 90%, in the absence of any transition metal. This work provides a novel, green, and sustainable strategy for the oxidative carboxylation of alkenes to synthesize cyclic carbonates.

Xu L-F. , Xie W-J. , Chen S-S. , Terent'ev A.O. , Li H-R. , He L-N.
Direct synthesis of cyclic carbonates from olefins and CO 2 via ionic liquid catalysis with mutually promoting bifunctional groups
Green Chemistry. 2026. DOI: 10.1039/d5gc06239j WOS Scopus OpenAlex

Published online:	Jan 15, 2025
Submitted:	Nov 21, 2025

Web of science:	WOS:001675298600001
Scopus:	2-s2.0-105030442091
OpenAlex:	W7124298808

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