Sulfur-containing amino acid-derived ionic liquid as a halogen-free catalyst for CO2 mild transformation into cyclic carbonates

Abstract

In this study, a novel, easily prepared and stable acid-derived ionic liquid [DBUH]₂[Cys] containing –S⁻ anion was synthesized and used to catalyze the reactions of CO₂ and epoxides. It was found that halogen-free IL could promote this kind of reactions under mild conditions, and high yields of cyclic carbonates were obtained. Moreover, [DBUH]₂[Cys] could be reused at least five times without any obvious loss in catalytic activity. Compared with the common amino acid-derived ionic liquids, the –S⁻ anion effectively promotes the catalytic activity of [DBUH]₂[Cys], resulting in its high catalytic performance.