Porous crystals as active catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates

The utilization of CO2 as a renewable raw material for the production of chemicals is an area of great societal importance. In particular, the catalytic conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates, which are useful chemical intermediates used for the production of plastics and organic solvents, represents an appealing approach for the efficient use of CO2. Microporous crystals, such as zeolites and metal organic frameworks, and ordered mesoporous phases have emerged as novel porous materials that combine highly desirable properties, such as uniform pores on the microscale and mesoscale, high surface areas, flexible chemistries, and exceptional thermal and chemical stability; this makes them ideal candidates for catalytic applications. In this review, representative examples demonstrating the catalytic ability of these porous materials for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 are presented. The fundamental structure/catalysis relationships of these porous phases in the conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates are discussed.