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Updated: Oct 25, 2025

Versatile CO2 Transformations into Complex Products: A One-pot Two-step Strategy
Published on: November 9, 2019
Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide with Frustrated Lewis Pairs Based on N-Heterocycles with Silane/Germane Groups
Maxime Ferrer1,2, Ibon Alkorta1, José Elguero1
1Instituto de Química Médica (CSIC), Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) based on nitrogen heterocycles (pyridine, pyrazole, and imidazole) with a silane or germane group in the α-position of a nitrogen atom have been considered as potential molecules to sequestrate carbon dioxide. Three stationary points have been characterized in the reaction profile: a pre-reactive complex, an adduct minimum, and the transition state connecting them. The effect of external (solvent) or internal (hydroxyl group) electric fields in the reaction profile has been considered. In both cases, it is possible to improve the kinetics and thermodynamics of the complexation of CO2 by the FLP and favor the formation of adducts.
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