Efficient fixation of CO2 by a zinc-coordinated conjugated microporous polymer.

Zinc-coordinated conjugated microporous polymers (Zn-CMPs), prepared by linking salen zinc and 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene, exhibit extraordinary activities (turnover frequencies of up to 11600 h(-1) ), broad substrate scope, and group tolerance for the synthesis of functional organic carbonates by coupling epoxides with CO2 at 120 °C and 3.0 MPa without the use of additional solvents. The catalytic activity of Zn-CMP is comparable to those of homogeneous catalysts and superior to those of other heterogeneous catalysts. This catalyst could be reused more than ten times without a significant decrease in performance.
(© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)