Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of Group I, II Metal Halides in the Cycloaddition of CO to Epoxides under Atmospheric Conditions by Cooperation with Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Highly Nucleophilic Aminopyridines: Experimental and Theoretical Study.

Compared to metal-organic complexes and transition-metal halides, group I metal halides are attractive catalysts for the crucial cycloaddition reaction of CO to epoxides as they are ubiquitously available and inexpensive, have a low molecular weight, and are not based on (potentially) endangered metals, especially for the case of sodium and potassium. Nevertheless, given their low intrinsic catalytic efficiency, they require the assistance of additional catalytic moieties. In this work, we show that by exploiting the high nucleophilicity of opportunely designed aminopyridines, catalytic systems based on alkaline metals can be formed, which allow the cycloaddition of CO to epoxides to proceed under atmospheric pressure at moderate temperatures.

Dataset for the synthesis and application of single-component heterogeneous catalysts based on zinc and tin for the cycloaddition of pure, diluted, and impure CO to epoxides under mild conditions.

The cycloaddition of CO to epoxides under mild conditions is a growing field of research and a viable strategy to recycle CO in the form of cyclic carbonates as useful intermediates, solvents, and additives. This target requires readily accessible and recyclable catalysts whose synthesis does not involve expensive monomers, multistep procedures, coupling reagents, etc. Additionally, the catalysts should be active under atmospheric pressure and tolerate impurities such as methane and HS.