Application of quaternary ammonium salt as catalyst in the reaction of glycidyl methacrylate with CO2

This study is related to the investigation of the characteristics of quaternary ammonium salt catalyst on the addition reaction of carbon dioxide and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) to form (2-oxo-l,3-dioxolan-4-yl) methyl methacrylate (DOMA). Among the salts tested, the ones with higher alkyl chain length and with more nucleophilic counter anion showed a higher catalytic activity. The DOMA monomer was obtained in non polar solvent like toluene and cyclohexane, while poly (DOMA) could be directly obtained in aprotic dipolar solvent such as DMF. In order to facilitate recovery of catalyst, polymer-immobilized quaternary ammonium salt was prepared by copolymerization of styrene (ST), divinylbenzene (DVB) and vinyl benzene chloride (VBC). The catalyst with 2 wt% of DVB, 25 wt% of VBC and quaternized tributyl amine showed the highest catalytic activity, and its activity was maintained even up to 10 successive experimental runs.