Nano-sized polydopamine-based biomimetic catalyst for the efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates

Polydopamine (PDA) is a biocompatible and biomimetic material. Herein, nano-sized PDA sphere was prepared and the combination of alkali metal halide and PDA was investigated as a catalyst for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxide and carbon dioxide. It was found that the activity of PDA could be obviously enhanced in the presence of alkali metal salts. After reaction, the catalyst and the products could be separated easily, and the catalyst was reusable. The origin of the high catalytic efficiency and the reaction mechanism were also discussed.