Macroporous polystyrene-supported quaternary ammonium salt catalysts for the addition of carbon dioxide to glycidyl methacrylate

In the present study, the synthesis of (2-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl methacrylate (DOMA) from carbon dioxide and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was investigated in a semi-batch reactor using macroporous polystyrene beads containing pendant quaternary ammonium salt catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by partial copolymerization of styrene (ST) and divinylbenzene (DVB) with isooctyl alcohol, and then by copolymerization with vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC). Quaternization of the pendant chloromethyl groups was carried out by using trialkylamines. The catalytic activity of the macroporous polymer was influenced by VBC and isooctyl alcohol concentration, and by the structure of trialkylamine. A kinetic study was also carried out to better understand the reaction steps.