High performance catalyst systems for the synthesis of alkylenecarbonates

Abstract

A catalyst of the formula (1) for the synthesis of alkylene carbonate by reacting alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide <paragraph lvl="0"><in-line-formula>LmMXn (1) < / in-line-formula>wherein L is selected from a group of pyridines; M is a metal atom selected from Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and In; X is a halogen atom selected from Cl, Br and I; m is 1 or 2, and n is 2 or 3

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to catalysts for the synthesis of alkylene carbonates by reacting alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide.[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art[0004] Alkylene carbonates are used in polycarbonate synthesis, as a solvent for polymer electrolyte, an intermediate in pharmaceutical process, an oxyalkylation agent in dyestuff synthesis, a protectant in processing plant and a solvent in textile production process.[0005] Alkylene carbonate has been prepared by reacting carbon dioxide and alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst, represented in Scheme 1. 1[0006] wherein, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently H, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl or phenyl group.[0007] In the above reaction, however, there is a limitation that alkylene oxide either decomposes or polymerizes at higher reaction temperatures.[0008] Many catalysts have been developed including inorganic salts, phosphonium halide and ammonium halides. For instance, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide catalysts for the synthesis of alkylene carbonates from alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide with a high yield and selectivity in a short reaction time under a mild reaction condition

Problems solved by technology

In the above reaction, however, there is a limitation that alkylene oxide either decomposes or polymerizes at higher reaction temperatures.

However, in order to achieve a high yield, longer reaction time and higher reaction temperature are required.

H7-206547, a catalyst system using a heteropolyacid whose hydrogen ion is substituted by Rubidium or Cesium ion was introduced These two cases, however, require expensive catalysts with low yield of 30-90% at relatively high reaction temperature of 120-180.degree. C.

As mentioned above, the catalysts disclosed in the above arts have one or more problems in terms of activity, reaction condition, cost, water sensitivity, etc.

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