Continuous CO2 cycloaddition to cyclic carbonate in a membrane dispersion enhanced fixed-bed reactor

Abstract

CO₂ cycloaddition is an effective approach to achieve high-value chemical products and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, high-efficiency and continuous CO₂ cycloaddition keeps a significant challenge. Herein, continuous liquid-phase CO₂ cycloaddition to cyclic carbonate is successfully realized for the first time in a membrane dispersion enhanced fixed-bed reactor. The reactor system can be operated steadily for 100 h with a productivity of 15.9 g_{cyclic carbonate}·h⁻¹·g_cat.⁻¹, more than ten times that of the traditional fixed-bed reactor.