Chemical fixation of carbon dioxide to cyclic carbonates proceeds effectively under extremely mild temperature and pressure by using a bifunctional nucleophile-electrophile catalyst system of tetradentate Schiff-base aluminum complexes ((Salen)AlX) in conjunction with a quaternary ammonium salt (n-Bu4NY) in the absence of any organic solvent. Electrophilicity of central A1(3+) ion and the steric factor of substituent groups on the aromatic rings of (Salen)AlX (electrophile), and nucleophilicity and leaving ability of the anion Y-of n-Bu4NY (nucleophile) have a great effect on the catalytic activity of the bifunctional catalyst. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.