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A One‐Component Iron Catalyst for Cyclic Propylene Carbonate Synthesis
Author(s) -
Dengler Joachim E.,
Lehenmeier Maximilian W.,
Klaus Stephan,
Anderson Carly E.,
Herdtweck Eberhardt,
Rieger Bernhard
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201000861
Subject(s) - chemistry , catalysis , propylene carbonate , propylene oxide , catalytic cycle , cobalt , inorganic chemistry , carbonate , chromium , kinetics , chlorine , iron oxide , molecule , organic chemistry , physics , ethylene oxide , electrode , quantum mechanics , copolymer , electrochemistry , polymer
The development of a new tetraamine–iron complex as a catalyst for the cyclization of propylene oxide with carbon dioxide to form propylene carbonate is reported. The structure of the complex was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The molecule exhibited an exceptionally long iron–chlorine bond and a high catalytic activity even without the addition of an activator. However, kinetic studies showed a second‐order dependence on catalyst concentration. By using iron, we provide an ecologically as well as economically favourable alternative to the preferentially used toxic metals cobalt and chromium. On the basis of the kinetics and other experimental data, the catalytic cycle deduced as well as an understanding of the high activities.