Hematin supported on Colour Catcher®: a biodegradable heterogeneous catalyst for halogen-free CO2 cycloadditions

This work describes the activity of biocompatible hemin derivatives in catalyzing the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides and aziridines. The process sustainability was enhanced through the use of a catalytic material obtained by heterogenizing hematin onto Colour Catcher® sheets, a cellulose-based support with complete biodegradability. The material exhibited remarkable efficiency and stability, enabling consecutive use without adding additional co-catalysts, thereby enhancing the eco-tolerance of the system. The generality of the reaction was demonstrated by testing various substrates under both homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions and the reaction mechanism was suggested through DFT calculations.