Rare Earth Porphyrin Complex Catalysts Transforming CO2 Into Cyclic Carbonate under Mild Conditions

Abstract

A series of rare earth metal complexes RE(TPP)(acac) (RE=NdIII, YbIII, EuIII, ErIII, PrIII and LuIII, TPP=5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin) were synthesized and characterized via UV-Vis, IR and elemental analyses. Their catalytic activities on the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide and propylene oxide under different reaction conditions (temperature, pressure and reaction time) were investigated. Catalytic reaction tests demonstrated that the complex Lu(TPP)(acac) could significantly enhance the catalytic reactivity under mild conditions without any co-solvent.