Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

CO2 Photoreduction to CH4 Performance Under Concentrating Solar Light
Published on: June 12, 2019
Reduction of carbon dioxide promoted by a dinuclear tantalum tetrahydride complex
Joachim Ballmann1, Fraser Pick, Ludovic Castro
1Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T.
Abstract:
The reaction of 1 equiv of carbon dioxide with the dinuclear tetrahydride complex ([NPN]Ta)(2)(μ-H)(4) [where NPN = PhP(CH(2)SiMe(2)NPh)(2)] results in the formation of ([NPN]Ta)(2)(μ-OCH(2)O)(μ-H)(2) via a combination of migratory insertion and reductive elimination. The identity of the ditantalum complex containing a methylene diolate fragment was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis, NMR analysis, and isotopic labeling studies. Density functional theory calculations were performed to provide information on the structure of the initial adduct formed and likely transition states and intermediates for the process.
Related Concept Videos
Acid Halides to Alcohols: LiAlH4 Reduction
The mechanism proceeds in three steps. First, the nucleophilic hydride ion attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acid halide to form a tetrahedral intermediate. Next, the carbonyl group is re-formed, and the halide ion departs as a leaving group, generating an aldehyde. A second nucleophilic attack by the hydride yields an alkoxide ion, which, upon protonation, gives a primary alcohol as...
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
Alcohols from Carbonyl Compounds: Reduction
Catalytic hydrogenation is similar to the reduction of an alkene or alkyne by adding H2 across the pi bond in the presence of transition metal catalysts like Raney Ni, Pd–C, Pt, or Ru. Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by this method, often under mild to moderate heat (25–100°C) and...
Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkanes: Wolff–Kishner Reduction
Carboxylic Acids to Primary Alcohols: Hydride Reduction
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones from Nitriles and Carboxylic Acids
Reducing carboxylic acid derivatives like acyl chlorides (RCOCl), esters (RCO2R′), and nitriles (RCN) using milder aluminum hydride agents like lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride [LiAlH(O-t-Bu)3] and diisobutylaluminum hydride [DIBAL-H] allows...

