Polyfluoroalkyl phosphonium iodides, Rf3RPI (Rf=C4F9C2H4, C6F13C2H4, C8F17C2H4; R=Me, Rf), catalyzed propylene carbonate synthesis from propylene oxide and carbon dioxide under supercritical CO2 conditions, where propylene carbonate was spontaneously separated out of the supercritical CO2 phase. The Rf3RPI catalyst could be recycled with maintaining a high CO2 pressure and temperature by separating the propylene carbonate from the bottom of the reactor followed by supplying propylene oxide and CO2 to the upper supercritical CO2 phase in which the Rf3RPI remained.

Ruthenium and rhodium phosphine complexes catalyze the hydrosilation of olefins in dense carbon dioxide. The incorporation of polyfluorinated phosphine ligands in the conventional hydrosilation catalysts provides enhanced solubility in dense carbon dioxide resulting in a higher catalytic activity and selectivity; the best result was obtained using RuCl2[P(C6H4-p-CF3)3]3. The reaction is applicable to the synthesis of a fluorous silane coupling agent.

Tetraalkylammonium salts of transition-metal-substituted polyoxometalates, such as [(n-C7H15)4N]6[α-SiW11O39Co] and [(n-C7H15)4N]6[α-SiW11O39Mn], efficiently catalyze cyclic carbonate synthesis from carbon dioxide and epoxide. The catalytic activity is significantly influenced by the type of transition metal and the countercation (Co2+≈Mn2+>Ni2+>Fe3+»Cu2+; (n-C7H15) 4N+>(n-C4H9)4N+»K+). Co- or Mn-substituted catalysts required neither additional organic solvents nor additives. Thus, polyoxometalates are promising as nonhalogen anionic components of catalysts for cyclic carbonate synthesis.

Lanthanide oxychloride, especially SmOCl, is an efficient solid catalyst for propylene carbonate synthesis from supercritical CO2 and propylene oxide. The process requires no additional organic solvents and the product is automatically separated out from the CO2 phase.

A PEG-supported quaternary ammonium salt is proved to be an efficient and recyclable homogeneous catalyst for solvent-free synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides under supercritical conditions. Supporting Bu4NBr onsoluble polymer PEG6000 enhances the catalytic activity. The workup procedure is straightforward, and the catalyst can be reused over five times with no appreciable loss of catalytic activity and selectivity.