Understanding the reaction mechanism of the CO2 and cyclohexene oxide copolymerization catalyzed by zinc(II) and magnesium(II) catalysts: a DFT approach

Author(s)

de Lima, Lucas W. ; de Alcantara Morais, Sara Figueiredo ; Braga, Ataualpa A. C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Molecular Modeling; v. 28, n. 10, p. 13-pg., 2022-10-01.

Abstract

The reaction mechanisms of carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide copolymerization catalyzed by four different zinc(II)-magnesium(II) (labeled as M1-M2) catalysts were computationally studied using density functional theory at the BP86-D3(BJ)/def2-TZVP/SMD//BP86-D3(BJ)/def2-SVP/SMD level of theory. The results showed that the most effective catalyst was the ZnMg system, in which poly(cyclohexene carbonate) was the preferred product, followed by the side product cis-cyclohexene carbonate. The QTAIM, NCI and ELF analysis performed to understand the role of metals in the reaction showed that ligands and substrates interact more strongly with zinc( II) centers compared to magnesium(II) centers. Furthermore, the Zn-I interaction at the M-1 position was stronger than the Mg-I interaction at the same position. All these results indicate a synergism between the metals Zn and Mg, which makes Zn(II)Mg(II) the best combination for the reaction. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/25770-6 - New frontiers in cross-coupling reactions promoted by palladium: combining enantioselective catalysis, C-H activations, new materials and in flux reactions aiming at high efficiency and sustainability in synthetic processes
• Grantee: Carlos Roque Duarte Correia
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 15/01491-3 - Theoretical study of cross-coupling reactions: homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis
• Grantee: Ataualpa Albert Carmo Braga
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants