Procedure for obtaining cyclic carbonates from CO2 using MXenes as catalysts

Currently, efforts are being made to use CO2 to create commercially valuable substances; however, the low reactivity of the CO2 molecule requires the use of catalyzed processes to transform it. The choice of catalyst and the optimization of operating conditions are essential to direct the reaction towards the desired product with high selectivity and yield. Among the various catalyzed processes, the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 is one of the most promising methodologies. This reaction involves reacting CO2 with epoxides in the presence of catalysts. Among the various reaction products that can be obtained are cyclic carbonates and polycarbonates, both with high added value. Cyclic carbonates are important industrial chemical products with diverse applications, including ecological solvents, lithium-ion batteries, paints and coatings, resins, precursors for polymeric materials, and polymer processing in fine chemistry. The present invention addresses the development of a new family of highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts based on two-dimensional transition metal carbides (2D), known as MXenes. Due to the structural characteristics of these MXenes, they have significant potential for use in catalyzing CO2 conversion reactions into cyclic carbonates. Reaction yields of over 90% have been observed, with a reduction in reaction times of around 50% compared to other conventional catalysts.