One-Pot Tandem Catalytic Epoxidation—CO2 Insertion of Monounsaturated Methyl Oleate to the Corresponding Cyclic Organic Carbonate

Conversion of unsaturated fatty acids, FAMEs or triglycerides into the corresponding cyclic organic carbonates involves two reaction steps—double-bond epoxidation and CO2 insertion into the epoxide—that are generally conducted separately. We describe an assisted-tandem catalytic protocol able to carry out carbonation of unsaturated methyl oleate in one-pot without isolating the epoxide intermediate. Methyl oleate carbonate was obtained in 99% yield and high retention of cis-configuration starting from methyl oleate using hydrogen peroxide and CO2 as green reagents, in a biphasic system and in the presence of an ammonium tungstate ionic liquid catalyst with KBr as co-catalyst.

Studying the Properties of PVdF-HFP Based Lithium Polymer Electrolytes Using non-ionic Surfactants as Plasticizers

In this study, two different non-ionic surfactants have been evaluated as a plasticizer in lithium polymer electrolytes and compared with an organic carbonate-based plasticizer. To that end, non-ionic surfactants with different molecular weight and structure have been selected (Triton� X-100 and Brij�L23) and compared with organic carbonates (EC:DEC1:1) as plasticizers in lithium polymer electrolytes. The effect of the plasticizer content, salt content and surfactant characteristics on properties such as ionic conductivity, thermal stability and electrochemical stability of lithium polymer electrolytes has been studied. The results obtained show that the non-ionic surfactants studied as plasticizers (Triton� X-100 and Brij�L23) give lithium polymer electrolytes with higher thermal and electrochemical stability than organic carbonates, thus making them promising plasticizers for lithium polymer electrolytes, especially for high voltage lithium-ion batteries. Surfactant structure could influence the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes, with the linear surfactants being more suitable for this application.

Zeolite-mediated production of cyclic organic carbonates: reaction of CO2 with styrene oxide on zeolite Y impregnated with metal halides

Zeolites impregnated with metal halides as efficient catalysts for cyclic organic carbonate production.