Cycloaddition of carbon dioxide (CO2) and epoxides can boast 100% atomic economy

and it is considered an up-and-coming method for CO2 utilization. However

the need for harsh reaction conditions presents a significant challenge. This study addresses this issue by successfully preparing the cellulose-supported ionic liquid as a porous catalyst (PPCIL) via the reaction of allyl cellulose ether (AHP-cellulose) and vinyl imidazolium bromide ([VPIM]Br). The catalytic activity of PPCIL was thoroughly investigated. It was found that end epoxides with small-sized substituents such as epichlorohydrin

epibromohydrin

and propylene oxide

can be completely converted to corresponding carbonates over PPCIL at 80 °C and 0.1 MPa. When the temperature rose to 100 °C

PPCIL also revealed good catalytic activity towards end epoxides with larger size such as allyl glycidyl ether and styrene oxide. PPCIL can effectively activate the CO2 and epoxy substrates

and potential reaction mechanisms were proposed. Notably

PPCIL demonstrated high catalytic activity even after being recycled for five times

maintaining a yield of 88.5% and a selectivity of 98%. In summary

this study offers an effective strategy for heterogenizing ionic liquids for catalytic activation CO2 to cyclic carbonates under mild conditions.