Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025

Versatile CO2 Transformations into Complex Products: A One-pot Two-step Strategy
Published on: November 9, 2019
Monomers from CO2 : Superbases as Catalysts for Formate-to-Oxalate Coupling
Eric Schuler1, Pavel A Ermolich1, N Raveendran Shiju1
1Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1090 GD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Invited for this month's cover are the Industrial Sustainable Chemistry group of Prof. Dr Gert-Jan M. Gruter and the Catalysis Engineering group of Dr. Raveendran Shiju at the University of Amsterdam. The image shows a full cycle from CO2 to polymers via several steps. The work reports the use of superbases in suitable environments to improve the formate coupling step by drastically lowering the reaction temperature and times whilst achieving higher yields. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202002725.
Related Concept Videos
Vicinal Diols via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: Pinacol Coupling Overview
Crossed Aldol Reaction Using Weak Bases
Base-Catalyzed Aldol Addition Reaction
Aldol Condensation with β-Diesters: Knoevenagel Condensation
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...

