Styrene carbonate synthesis from CO2 using tetrabutylammonium bromide as a non-supported heterogeneous catalyst phase

Montoya, Carmen A. and B. Paninho, Ana and Pedro M., Felix and Zakrzewska, Malgorzata E. and Joaquim, Vital and Najdanovic-Visak, Vesna and Nunes, Ana V.M. (2015) Styrene carbonate synthesis from CO2 using tetrabutylammonium bromide as a non-supported heterogeneous catalyst phase. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 100. pp. 155-159. ISSN 0896-8446

Abstract

The production of cyclic styrene carbonate from CO2 cycloaddition to styrene oxide, using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr) as catalyst, was investigated. Two different reaction systems, a CO2-rich and an epoxide-rich were studied. Reactions were performed in a visual high pressure cell, at different temperatures (313.2, 333.2, and 353.2 K) and pressures (0.5-18 MPa). High pressure phase behaviour manipulation of the reaction system was explored to shift catalysis from homogeneous to heterogeneous, by changing operation conditions. Styrene carbonate formation was monitored quantitatively by using 1H-NMR spectroscopy.