Dongfang Niu

Electrochemical activation of CO2 in ionic liquid (BMIMBF4): synthesis of organic carbonates under mild conditions

A new electrochemical procedure for electrosynthesis of organic carbonates from CO2 and alcohols has been established in CO2-saturated room temperature ionic liquid BMIMBF4 solution, followed by addition of an alkylating agent. The synthesis was carried out under mild (PCO2 =1.0 atm, T = 55 °C) and safe conditions. The use of volatile and toxic solvents and catalysts as well as of any additional supporting electrolytes has been avoided. The influence of temperature, cathode material, working potential, alcohol concentration and the charge passed on the reaction using methanol (1a) as the model compound was examined. The ionic liquid used for the reaction was recyclable. The obtained results showed that the primary and secondary alcohols were converted in good yields, whereas tertiary alcohol and phenol were unreactive.

Electrochemical Activation of CO2 for the Synthesis of Ethyl Carbanilate under Mild Conditions

A novel electrochemical procedure for the synthesis of ethyl carbanilate from aniline and carbon dioxide was developed via the selective cathodic reduction of carbon dioxide in CO2-saturated DMF solution containing 0.1 mol/L TEABr at room temperature, followed by the addition of EtI as an alkylating agent. The synthesis was carried out under mild [p(CO2) = 1.0 × 105 Pa, t = 20°C] and safe conditions. Influences of the nature of the electrodes, the current densities, the passed charges during electrolysis, temperatures, and supporting electrolytes on the yield of ethyl carbanilate were studied to optimize the electrolytic conditions. The selectivity of ethyl carbanilate is 100%.