Large particle spherical poly-ionic liquid–solid base catalyst for high-efficiency transesterification of ethylene carbonate to prepare dimethyl carbonate

Large particle spherical poly-ionic liquid–solid base catalyst (PILs-FL) was synthesized by suspension polymerization. This catalyst was characterized by SEM-EDS, T.G., FT-IR and BET-BJH. The characterization results show that PILs-FL has a specific core structure, a certain size of surface area (168.7 m2/g), pore size(6.3 nm), and high alkalinity (2.6 mmol/g). The catalyst performance was evaluated by vinyl carbonate and methanol reaction to form dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The reaction conditions were optimized in detail. The optimal reaction conditions were that the molar ratio of methanol and ethylene carbonate 9:1, catalyst dosage 3 wt%, reaction time 5 h, and temperature 90 °C, The yield of DMC was up to 93.7% under the optimal reaction conditions. In addition, The catalyst is separated very easily by simple filtration. The catalyst activity hardly decreased after being reused five times, and the catalyst shape was not destroyed, which meant that the catalyst had a high mechanical strength.