KI Dispersed onto MCM-41 as Catalytic Sites for the Cycloadditionof Cyclic Carbonates from Epoxides and CO₂

Abstract

Supported KI/MCM-41 catalysts were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method and characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and N₂ adsorption–desorption techniques. It was confirmed that KI on MCM-41 are small in size and even in dispersion. KI/MCM-41 catalyst with a 35% loading of KI has given excellent catalytic activity and stability in the synthesis of various carbonates. The catalyst was easily recovered and could be reused at four times without much loss of activity. In addition, the reaction mechanism was discussed on the basis of the experimental results.

Keywords:

• catalytic performance
• carbon dioxide
• cyclic carbonates
• epoxides
• KI/MCM-41
• structure characterization