Recent Advances in the Fixation of CO₂ to Form N-Containing Heterocyclic Compounds

N-containing heterocyclic compounds are common chemical structures in drugs, bioactive compounds, and natural products. Using CO₂ as a C1 source for synthesizing N-containing heterocyclic compounds aligns with the concepts of green chemistry and sustainability. In recent years, the synthesis of N-containing heterocyclic compounds has been extensively and intensively studied. However, significant challenges remain, such as thermodynamic limitations, low catalytic efficiency, and harsh reaction conditions. Catalysts play an essential role in the catalytic activation of CO₂ and/or substrates, thereby facilitating CO₂ conversion. This review provides an overview of several typical N-containing heterocyclic compounds converted from CO₂, such as oxazolidinones, quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones, benzimidazoles, and benzimidazolones. The most recent catalysts used in these reactions are discussed, emphasizing their mechanistic roles in the reaction process.