Polystyrene-bound diethanolamine based ionic liquids for chemical fixation of CO2

Polystyrene-bound diethanolamine based ionic liquids (PS-DHEEAB and PS-THEAB) were synthesized and applied for the chemical fixation of CO₂ into cyclic carbonates without any additional co-catalyst and solvent. The effect of the catalysts with different number of hydroxyl group in the cation of the IL on the reaction was systematically investigated. Highest activity and selectivity were achieved in the presence of polystyrene supported diethanolamine ethyl bromide (PS-DHEEAB) in comparison with other catalysts employed. The catalyst was tough in stability and also found to be extended to a variety of terminal epoxides and aziridines. The relationship between high catalytic reactivity and the –OH functional groups was proposed.