Graphene Oxide‐Supported Potassium Iodide Catalysts for Cycloaddition of Epoxides with CO ₂ Under Solvent‐Free Conditions

Abstract The cycloaddition of epoxides with CO 2 not only represents a crucial pathway for producing cyclic carbonates but also contributes to the reduction of CO 2 emissions. In this cycloaddition reaction, heterogeneous catalysts are urgently desired to facilitate product separation. Herein, a dual‐functional heterogeneous catalyst was fabricated by covalently attaching crown ether units to graphene oxide support and subsequent complexation with KI. The as‐synthesized heterogeneous catalyst (i.e., GO‐DAB18C6‐KI) possesses abundant hydroxyl groups and nucleophilic sites (I − ), which can synergistically activate the epoxides. When applied to the cycloaddition of epoxides with CO 2 , this GO‐DAB18C6‐KI heterogeneous catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity and excellent substrate suitability, affording up to 99% yield of ethylene carbonate under solvent‐free conditions. Remarkably, this heterogeneous catalyst can be reused for at least five cycles without significant activity loss.