Recent Advances in the Application of Magnetite Nanocatalysts for CO2 Fixation Reactions

Abstract

The chemical synthesis via utilizing carbon dioxide as an easily accessible, low-price, nonpoisonous, and versatile C1 elementary unit is a remarkably appealing but complex and challenging conversion from the point of industrial and academic aspects. The cycloaddition of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and epoxides (EPs) is an eco-friendly route in the fixation of CO₂ into useful cyclic carbonate (CY) products, which have been broadly operated regarding the industrial utility of polymeric and CYs. Magnetic nanocatalysts are vastly utilized in diverse organic reactions owing to their magnetic isolation and recoverability features. The usage of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles as solid support for the immobilization of a diversity of metals, bimetals, organocatalysts, and organoligands has shown massive development in benign organic conversions largely owing to their enormous surface area, low-cost nature, and ease of preparation. The significant benefits of magnetic nanocatalysts are superior yields, short-time reaction, moderate reaction conditions, recyclability, and easy workup. This current review highlights the applications of magnetite nanocatalysts in the chemical fixation of CO₂ into CYs. This research will be helpful and valuable to researchers due to the reaction of cycloaddition of CO₂ to EPs to make CY intermediates significantly employed for the synthesis of an extensive diversity of organic compound products.