NEW CATALYSTS FOR CYCLIC CARBONATE PRODUCTION

The aim is to exploit a recent discovery concerning the production of a new high activity catalyst for use in the production of organic carbonates. The methodology uses a new gold catalyst supported on an acidic support. Initial results show the new catalyst is over sixty times as active as the current equivalent commercial catalyst and retains complete specificity for the carbonate product. This enhanced activity represents a step change in the manufacturing processes for these important chemical building blocks. Funding is requested to complete patent exemplification and to ensure commercial exploitation can be achieved.