Process for preparing zinc dicarboxylate and use thereof as a catalyst in the synthesis of polyalkylene carbonate from CO2 by heterogeneous catalysis

The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a zinc-based compound having general formula (I): wherein L is selected in the group consisting of: NO3, CH3CO2, (SO4)0.5, halide, and acetyl acetonate (AcAc), 2x = y + z; wherein x is comprised between 1 and 5, y is comprised between 1 and 8, z is comprised between 1 and 2, and n is comprised between 0 and 20. Said zinc-based compound is then used for the synthesis of a zinc dicarboxylate catalyst to be used for the heterogeneous catalytic copolymerization of a polyalkylene carbonate starting from CO2 and an alkyl epoxide, preferably containing at least 3 atoms of carbon, said polyalkylene carbonate being characterised by chemical-physical and mechanical properties which make it advantageous for a variety of different applications.