Catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methane and other species via formamide intermediation: synthesis and hydrogenation of HC(O)NH 2 in the presence of [Ir(Cl)(CO)(Ph 3P) 2

Abstract

Abstract : Formamide, HC(O)NH2, is catalytically synthesized from Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen and Ammonia in homogeneous toluene or alcohol solutions mediated by Ir(Cl)(CO)(Ph3P)2. The same iridium compound is used in the catalytic hydrogenation of neat formamide which leads to methane and N- methylformamides. The latter overall reaction is complicated due to the concurrent thermal decomposition of formamide yielding carbon black, NH3, Carbon monoxide, CO2, and water. The various possible steps in this complex catalytic system are briefly examined. Keywords: Trans- chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)iridium.