Zeolitic imidazole framework-67 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of CO2 to cyclic carbonates

Abstract

Zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF)-67 is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to epoxides to afford cyclic carbonates. In this work, ZIF-67 was synthesized by a simple and straightforward method at room temperature. The coupling reaction in the presence of ZIF-67 without any co-catalyst or solvent was studied under different conditions. The reaction conversion was more than 99% and the selectivity toward chloropropene carbonate was considerably higher (>99%) than the previously reported ZIF-8. Moreover, the ZIF-67 catalyst could be recycled at least four times without noticeable loss of catalytic activity.