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Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Versatile CO2 Transformations into Complex Products: A One-pot Two-step Strategy
Published on: November 9, 2019
Aromaticity as stabilizing element in the bidentate activation for the catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide
Zhenpin Lu1, Heike Hausmann1, Sabine Becker1
1†Institut für Organische Chemie and $Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Justus Liebig Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Abstract:
A new transition-metal-free mode for the catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide via bidentate interaction has been developed. In the presence of Li2[1,2-C6H4(BH3)2], CO2 can be selectively transformed to either methane or methanol, depending on the reducing agent. The bidentate nature of binding is supported by X-ray analysis of an intermediate analogue, which experiences special stabilization due to aromatic character in the bidentate interaction. Kinetic studies revealed a first-order reaction rate. The transformation can be conducted without any solvent.
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