New routes for CO2 activation and subsequent conversion

Abstract

Nowadays, transformation of CO2 into value-added chemicals and fuels has attracted much attention. However, the inherent thermodynamic and kinetic limitation of CO2 represents the biggest obstacle associated with CO2 conversion. In this context, activation of CO2 would be prerequisite for its conversion. In this minireview, we would like to provide a concise overview of recent advances on CO2 activation by various organocatalysts including N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)/N-heterocyclicolefins (NHOs), phosphorus ylides, polyoxometalates (POMs), ionic liquids (ILs), frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), superbases. In addition, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategy, the elegant combination of carbon capture and subsequent conversion, has also been summarized, which is designed to obviate the high energy input associated with carbon capture and storage/sequestration (CCS) process. In order to demonstrate the efficiency of CO2 activation, application of abovementioned CO2 activation in the synthesis of cyclic carbonates, carbon monoxide, quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones, methanol, oxazolidinones, formamides, ureas, alkyl 2-alkynoates, α-hydroxy ketones, and formic acid are also included.