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Polyimidazolium Salts: Robust Catalysts for the Cycloaddition of Carbon Dioxide into Carbonates in Solvent‐Free Conditions
Author(s) -
Zhong Wei,
Bobbink Felix D.,
Fei Zhaofu,
Dyson Paul J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201700570
Subject(s) - catalysis , halide , cycloaddition , chemistry , alkyl , polymer , solvent , steric effects , organic chemistry , salt (chemistry) , polymer chemistry , carbon dioxide , green chemistry , inorganic chemistry , reaction mechanism
There is a growing interest in sustainable heterogeneous catalysts based on organic polymers. Here, we describe a series of polyimidazolium salt catalysts, prepared from the direct reaction of arene‐bridged bis‐ and tris‐alkyl halides with trimethylsilylimidazole. The polyimidazolium salts were characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques and it was found that their morphology and porosity could be controlled by adjusting the steric parameters of the spacer in the alkyl‐halide starting materials. Moreover, the polymers are excellent heterogeneous organocatalysts for the cycloaddition of CO 2 to epoxides to afford cyclic carbonates at atmospheric pressure under solvent‐free conditions. The polymer catalysts exhibit long‐term stability and may be recycled and reused at least 10 times.