Synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide catalyzed by an easy-to-handle ionic iron(iii) complex

Abstract

We report the successful utilization of monometallic, ionic iron(II)- and iron(III)-N2O2-ligand-systems as highly active homogeneous catalysts for the conversion of CO2 with different epoxides to cyclic carbonates. The catalytic tests were performed using propylene oxide (PO) and a range of nine substituted epoxides. Terminal monosubstituted oxides react quantitatively.