Chem. J. Chinese Universities ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5): 20240570.doi: 10.7503/cjcu20240570

• Physical Chemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Porous Poly(ionic liquid)s-catalyzed Carbon Dioxide-promoted Hydration of Ethylene Oxide

HONG Yang, LI Dandan, ZHANG Jingshun, ZHANG Ziwang, GAO Guohua()   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes,School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering,Institute of Eco?Chongming,East China Normal University,Shanghai 200062,China
  • Received:2024-12-30 Online:2025-05-10 Published:2025-03-24
  • Contact: GAO Guohua E-mail:ghgao@chem.ecnu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22172053);the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0710201)

Abstract:

As one of the energy-intensive processes, the production of ethylene glycol with high selectivity from ethylene oxide under low hydration ratios is a challenge in the industry. In this study, a series of porous poly(ionic liquid)s with high specific surface area and macroporous structure were synthesized through free radical copoly- merization of rigid ionic liquids and organic base monomers. The structure, microscopic morphology, and thermal stability of the poly(ionic liquid)s were characterized by magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance(MAS NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy(SEM), N2 physical adsorption-desorption, and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA). These poly(ionic liquid)s have a specific surface area ranging from 100.9 m²/g to 374.7 m²/g, a pore volume ranging from 0.41 cm³/g to 0.86 cm³/g, with active sites uniformly distributed within the porous structure. Porous poly(ionic liquid)s possessing both the active centers of ionic liquids and organic bases could synergistically catalyze the CO2-promoted hydration of ethylene oxide. Under a low hydration ratio of 1.5∶1, high yield(96.5%) and selectivity(96.5%) of ethylene glycol are achieved, which are comparable to the corresponding homogeneous catalysts. The CO2-promoted catalysis alters the pathway of hydration reaction, significantly reducing the hydration ratio and improving the selectivity of ethylene glycol. In addition, the catalyst has good substrate applicability and recyclability, and it also shows good catalytic performance under the flue gas atmosphere.

Key words: Ethylene glycol, Ethylene oxide, Porous poly(ionic liquid)s, CO2-promoted hydration reaction

CLC Number: 

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