Synthesis of cyclic carbonate from allyl glycidyl ether and CO2 over silica-supported ionic liquid catalysts prepared by sol-gel method

A silica-supported ionic liquid (Im-IL) was proven to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst for solventless synthesis of cyclic carbonate from allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) and carbon dioxide. Im-IL catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method. The synthesis of cyclic carbonate from AGE and CO2 was carried out in a batch autoclave reactor. Im-IL with shorter alkyl chain length showed the highest conversion of AGE, probably due to the steric hindrance for the formation of intermediate from the catalyst prepared by using longer alkyl chains and AGE. High temperature and high pressure were favorable for the conversion of AGE. Im-IL can be reused for the reaction up to two consecutive runs without any considerable loss of its catalytic activity.