Bifunctional dye-based organocatalysts with enhanced activity in the conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates†

Abstract

A series of novel dye-based organocatalysts was designed, synthesised and tested in the cycloaddition of CO₂ to styrene oxide yielding styrene carbonate under mild reaction conditions (45 °C, 10 bar CO₂). Tuning the acid strength and the geometry of the –OH functional group in the modified dyes allowed the generation of a tailored bifunctional catalyst (RhB-Ethyl-PhOH-I) with enhanced catalytic activity.