Unusual Regularities of Propylene Carbonate Obtained by Propylene Oxide Carboxylation in the Presence of ZnBr2/Et4N+Br− System

Abstract

The aim of the work was to study the unusual regularities of propylene carbonate prepared by carboxylation of propylene oxide in the presence of the catalytic system ZnBr2/Et4N+Br−. Using the kinetic method, a long induction period was detected, followed by the rapid formation of propylene carbonate in a quantitative yield, where the maximum turnover frequency (TOF) values reached 21,658 h−1. The regularities of the influence of the main process parameters on the induction period duration and the reaction rate were established. Based on the results obtained and considering the literature, assumptions about the mechanism of the process were proposed and ways for its further study were outlined.