Multifunctional and Sustainable Fe-Iminopyridine Complexes for the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates

Abstract

The use of multifunctional and sustainable Fe catalysts for the formation of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide at 80 °C and 3 bar pressure is presented. The optimal catalyst possesses a halide counteranion and a hydrogen bond donor to activate the epoxide for ring opening, affording a single-component, cocatalyst-free catalytic system.

Keywords: Fe-iminopyridine complex; carbon dioxide; cyclic carbonates; homogeneous catalyst; hydrogen bond donor.