The catalytic role of N-heterocyclic carbene in a metal-free conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol: a computational mechanism study

Computational approaches to the chemical conversion of carbon dioxide

The conversion of CO₂ into fuels and chemicals is viewed as an attractive route for controlling the atmospheric concentration and recycling of this greenhouse gas, but its industrial application is limited by the low selectivity and activity of the current catalysts. Theoretical modeling, in particular density functional theory (DFT) simulations, provides a powerful and effective tool to discover chemical reaction mechanisms and design new catalysts for the chemical conversion of CO₂, overcoming the repetitious and time/labor consuming trial-and-error experimental processes. In this article we give a comprehensive survey of recent advances on mechanism determination by DFT calculations for the catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ into CO, CH₄, CH₃OH, and HCOOH, and CO₂ methanation, as well as the photo- and electrochemical reduction of CO₂. DFT-guided design procedures of new catalytic systems are also reviewed, and challenges and perspectives in this field are outlined.

Mechanistic study of the synthesis of CdSe nanocrystals: release of selenium

We outline a reaction pathway for the cleavage of the P═Se bond in trialkylphosphine selenide during the synthesis of CdSe nanocrystals. The reaction between cadmium carboxylate and trimethylphosphine selenide in the presence of an alcohol produces alkoxytrimethylphosphonium (2). Control experiments and density functional theory calculations suggested that the cleavage of the P═Se bond is initiated by nucleophilic attack of carboxylate on a Cd(2+)-activated phosphine selenide to produce an acyloxytrialkylphosphonium intermediate (1), which is converted to 2 in the presence of an alcohol.

Cascade catalysis for the homogeneous hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol

This communication demonstrates the homogeneous hydrogenation of CO(2) to CH(3)OH via cascade catalysis. Three different homogeneous catalysts, (PMe(3))(4)Ru(Cl)(OAc), Sc(OTf)(3), and (PNN)Ru(CO)(H), operate in sequence to promote this transformation.

On the role of CO2 in NHC-catalyzed oxidation of aldehydes

NHC-catalyzed oxidations using carbon dioxide as the stoichiometric oxidant have been carefully investigated. These studies support a secondary role of CO(2) in suppressing side reactions and exogenous oxygen as the actual oxidant.

Unusual formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of ethyl allenoate with arylidenoxindoles: synthesis of dihydropyran-fused indoles

An unusual DABCO-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of ethyl allenoate, as a surrogate of a "1,2-dipole", with various arylidenoxindoles has been developed for the synthesis of dihydropyran-fused indoles. The DFT mechanistic study indicates that the cycloaddition takes place stepwise and the essential role of the catalyst is to raise the HOMO of allenoate.