Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of a benzimidazole-containing Zn(II) coordination polymer as highly effective Lewis acid catalyst for cycloaddition of epoxides with CO2

Abstract A micron sized Zn (II) coordination polymer (CP), namely {[Zn(L)(5-mip)]·EtOH}(1) (L =1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)-2-propanol and 5-H2mip = 5-methyisophthalic acid), was synthesized by ultrasonic irradiation at room temperature. The effects of ultrasonic power and time on the morphology and size of 1 were investigated in detail. Interestingly, micron sized 1 with considerable stability is can be used as an excellent and reused heterogeneous catalyst for carbon dioxide cycloaddition to epoxides under mild conditions.