Homogeneous and silica-supported zinc complexes for the synthesis of propylene carbonate from propane-1,2-diol and carbon dioxide

Abstract

Three organozinc complexes have been synthesised and found to catalyse the carbonylation of propylene glycol with carbon dioxide to form propylene carbonate. A similar tethered organozinc complex was supported onto high loading aminopropyl functionalised hexagonal mesoporous silica and was also found to be catalytically active.