A bioinspired chitosan-polymer facilitated CO2 utilization under mild reaction conditions

Converting CO 2 into value-added chemicals using sustainable, biomass-derived catalytic systems is a key strategy for carbon mitigation and resource utilization. In this study, a heterogeneous biomass-derived zwitterionic polymer was fabricated from chitosan for CO 2 cycloaddition and N-methylation reactions. The synthesized porous bio-based polymer exhibits a robust structure and exceptional CO 2 adsorption capacity, leading to high catalytic efficiency. Under mild conditions, this catalyst achieved yields of up to 95% for 8 cyclic carbonates and 99% for 10 N-methylamines. Furthermore, the chitosan-based polymer demonstrates remarkable stability, maintaining its activity over at least 6 reuse cycles without significant degradation. Mechanistic studies indicate that the inherent –NH 2 or –OH groups on chitosan facilitate CO 2 and epoxide activation, while the zwitterionic structure provides active sites for ring-opening and cyclization processes.