Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.20, No.1, 71-76, 2003
Synthesis of Phenoxymethyl Ethylene Carbonate Using Quaternary Ammonium Salt Catalysts Grafted onto Styrene-Vinylbenzylchloride-Montmorillonite Support
The synthesis of phenoxymethyl ethylene carbonate (PMEC) from carbon dioxide and phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) was investigated using styrene-vinylbenzylchloride-montmorillonite supported quaternary ammonium salt catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by grafting the copolymer of styrene (ST) and vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) onto montmorillonite (MMT) interlayers, followed by the quaternization using trialkylamines. The influence of VBC concentration, the structure of trialkylamine, and the type of support on the catalytic activity was discussed. Quaternary ammonium salt grafted onto organophilic ST-VBC-MMT intercalates showed higher conversion of PGE than that grafted onto montmorillonite interlayers since the former exhibits greater affinity for organic solvents than the latter does.