The Application of Biomass-Based Catalytic Materials in the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from CO and Epoxides.

The synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide (CO) and epoxides is a 100% atom economical reaction and an attractive pathway for CO utilisation. Because CO is a thermodynamically stable molecule, the use of catalysts is mandatory in reducing the activation energy of the CO conversion. Considering environmental compatibility and the high-efficiency catalytic conversion of CO, there is the strong need to develop green catalysts. Biomass-based catalysts, a type of renewable resource, have attracted considerable attention due to their unique properties-non-toxic, low-cost, pollution-free, etc. In this review, recent advances in the development of biomass-based catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by CO and epoxides coupling are summarized and discussed in detail. The effect of biomass-based catalysts, functional groups, reaction conditions, and co-catalysts on the catalytic efficiency and selectivity of synthesizing cyclic carbonates process is discussed. We intend to provide a comprehensive understanding of recent experimental and theoretical progress of CO and epoxides coupling reaction and pave the way for both CO conversion and biomass unitization.