Catalytic Hydrogenation of Cyclic Carbonates: A Practical Approach from CO2and Epoxides to Methanol and Diols

Catalytic regeneration of metal-hydrides from their corresponding metal-alkoxides via the hydroboration of carbonates to obtain methanol and diols

Thorium complexes decorated with 5-, 6-, and 7-membered N-heterocyclic iminato ligands containing mesityl wingtip substitutions have been synthesized and fully characterized. These complexes were found to be efficient in the hydroboration of cyclic and linear organic carbonates with HBpin or 9-BBN promoting their decarbonylation and producing the corresponding boronated diols and methanol. In addition, the hydroboration of CO2 breaks the molecule into "CO" and "O" forming boronated methanol and pinBOBpin. Moreover, the demanding depolymerization of polycarbonates to the corresponding boronated diols and methanol opens the possibility of recycling polymers for energy sources. Increasing the core ring size of the ligands allows a better performance of the complexes. The reaction proceeds with high yields under mild reaction conditions, with low catalyst loading, and short reaction times, and shows a broad applicability scope. The reaction is achieved via the recycling of a high-energy Th-H moiety from a stable Th-OR motif. Experimental evidence and DFT calculations corroborate the formation of the thorium hydride species and the reduction of the carbonate with HBpin to the corresponding Bpin-protected alcohols and H3COBpin through the formate and acetal intermediates.

A Self-Separating Multiphasic System for Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO2 and CO2 -Derivatives to Methanol

Catalytic conversion of CO₂ and hydrogen to methanol was achieved in a self-separating multiphasic system comprising the tailor-made complex [Ru(CO)ClH(MACHO-C₁₂ )] (MACHO-C₁₂ =bis{2-[bis(4-dodecylphenyl)phosphino]ethyl}amine) in n-decane as the catalyst phase. Effective catalyst recycling was demonstrated for the carbonate and the amine-assisted pathway from CO₂ to methanol. The polar products MeOH or MeOH/H₂ O generated from the catalytic reactions spontaneously formed a separate phase, allowing product isolation and catalyst separation without the need for any additional solvent. In the amine-assisted hydrogenation of CO₂ , the catalyst phase was recycled over ten subsequent runs, reaching a total turnover number to MeOH of 19200 with an average selectivity of 96 %.

Advancements and Challenges in Reductive Conversion of Carbon Dioxide via Thermo-/Photocatalysis

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the major greenhouse gas and also an abundant and renewable carbon resource. Therefore, its chemical conversion and utilization are of great attraction for sustainable development. Especially, reductive conversion of CO₂ with energy input has become a current hotspot due to its ability to access fuels and various important chemicals. Nowadays, the controllable CO₂ hydrogenation to formic acid and alcohols using sustainable H₂ resources has been regarded as an appealing solution to hydrogen storage and CO₂ accumulation. In addition, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to CO also provides a potential way to utilize this greenhouse gas efficiently. Besides direct CO₂ hydrogenation, CO₂ reductive functionalization integrates CO₂ reduction with subsequent C-X (X = N, S, C, O) bond formation and indirect transformation strategies, enlarging the diverse products derived from CO₂ and promoting CO₂ reductive conversion into a new stage. In this Perspective, the progress and challenges of CO₂ reductive conversion, including hydrogenation, reductive functionalization, photocatalytic reduction, and photocatalytic reductive functionalization are summarized and discussed along with the key issues and future trends/directions in this field. We hope this Perspective can evoke intense interest and inspire much innovation in the promise of CO₂ valorization.

Homogeneous Hydrogenation of CO2 and CO to Methanol: The Renaissance of Low-Temperature Catalysis in the Context of the Methanol Economy

The traditional economy based on carbon-intensive fuels and materials has led to an exponential rise in anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Outpacing the natural carbon cycle, atmospheric CO2 levels increased by 50 % since the pre-industrial age and can be directly linked to global warming. Being at the core of the proposed methanol economy pioneered by the late George A. Olah, the chemical recycling of CO2 to produce methanol, a green fuel and feedstock, is a prime channel to achieve carbon neutrality. In this direction, homogeneous catalytic systems have lately been a major focus for methanol synthesis from CO2 , CO and their derivatives as potential low-temperature alternatives to the commercial processes. This Review provides an account of this rapidly growing field over the past decade, since its resurgence in 2011. Based on the critical assessment of the progress thus far, the present key challenges in this field have been highlighted and potential directions have been suggested for practically viable applications.

Hydroboration of CO2 to Methyl Boronate Catalyzed by a Manganese Pincer Complex: Insights into the Reaction Mechanism and Ligand Effect

The conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels, polymers, and chemicals is an attractive strategy for the synthesis of high-value-added products and energy-storage materials. Herein, the density functional theory method was employed to investigate the reaction mechanism of CO₂ hydroboration catalyzed by manganese pincer complex, [Mn(Ph₂PCH₂SiMe₂)₂NH(CO)₂Br]. The carbonyl association and carbonyl dissociation mechanisms were investigated, and the calculated results showed that the carbonyl association mechanism is more favorable with an energetic span of 27.0 kcal/mol. Meanwhile, the solvent effect of the reaction was explored, indicating that the solvents could reduce the catalytic activity of the catalyst, which was consistent with the experimental results. In addition, the X ligand effect (X = CO, Br, H, PH₃) on the catalytic activity of the manganese complex was explored, indicating that the anionic complexes [Mn^I - Br]^- and [Mn^I - H]^- have higher catalytic activity. This may not only shed light on the fixation and conversion of CO₂ catalyzed by earth-abundant transition-metal complexes but also provide theoretical insights to design new transition-metal catalysts.

Evaluation of Manganese Catalysts for the Hydrogenative Deconstruction of Commercial and End-of-Life Polyurethane Samples

Polyurethane (PU) is a thermoset plastic that is found in everyday objects, such as mattresses and shoes, but also in more sophisticated materials, including windmills and airplanes, and as insulation materials in refrigerators and buildings. Because of extensive inter-cross linkages in PU, current recycling methods are somewhat lacking. In this work, the effective catalytic hydrogenation of PU materials is carried out by applying a catalyst based on the earth-abundant metal manganese, to give amine and polyol fractions, which represent the original monomeric composition. In particular, Mn-^Ph MACHO is found to catalytically deconstruct flexible foam, molded foams, insulation, and end-of-life materials at 1 wt.% catalyst loading by applying a reaction temperature of 180 °C, 50 bar of H₂ , and 0.9 wt.% of KOH in isopropyl alcohol. The protocol is showcased in the catalytic deconstruction of 2 g of mattress foam using only 0.13 wt.% catalyst, resulting in 90 % weight recovery and a turnover number of 905.

Recent Progress in the Chemical Upcycling of Plastic Wastes

The massive generation of plastic wastes without satisfactory treatment has induced severe environmental problems and gained increasing attentions. In this Minireview, recent progresses in the chemical upcycling of plastic wastes by using various methods (mainly in the past three to five years) is summarized. The chemical upcycling of plastic wastes points out a "plastic-based refinery" concept, which is to use the plastic wastes as platform feedstocks to produce highly valuable monomeric or oligomeric compounds, putting the plastic wastes back into a circular economy. The different chemical methods to upcycle plastic wastes, including hydrogenolysis, photocatalysis, pyrolysis, solvolysis, and others, are introduced in each section to valorize diverse plastic feedstocks into value-added chemicals, materials, or fuels. In addition, other emerging technologies as well as the new generation of plastic thermosets are covered.

Manganese-Catalyzed Hydroborations with Broad Scope

Reductive transformations of easily available oxidized matter are at the heart of synthetic manipulation and chemical valorization. The applications of catalytic hydrofunctionalization benefit from the use of liquid reducing agents and operationally facile setups. Metal‐catalyzed hydroborations provide a highly prolific platform for reductive valorizations of stable C=X electrophiles. Here, we report an especially facile, broad‐scope reduction of various functions including carbonyls, carboxylates, pyridines, carbodiimides, and carbonates under very mild conditions with the inexpensive pre‐catalyst Mn(hmds)₂. The reaction could be successfully applied to depolymerizations.

Hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol catalyzed by a manganese pincer complex: insights into the mechanism and solvent effect

Herein, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to explore the reaction mechanism of three cascade cycles for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol (CO2 + 3H2 → CH3OH + H2O) catalyzed by a manganese pincer complex [Mn(Ph2PCH2SiMe2)2N(CO)2]. The three cascade cycles involve: the hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid, the hydrogenation of formic acid to methanediol and the decomposition of methanediol to formaldehyde and water, and the hydrogenation of formaldehyde to methanol. The calculated results demonstrate that hydrogen activation is the rate-determining step of each catalytic cycle under solvent-free conditions, and the energy span of the whole reaction is 27.1 kcal mol-1. Furthermore, the solvent was found to be of importance in this reaction. In three different solvents, the rate-determining steps of this reaction are all the hydrogen transfer step of the formic acid hydrogenation stage, and the corresponding energy spans in water, toluene and THF solvents are 21.3, 20.8 and 20.4 kcal mol-1, respectively. Such a low energy span implies that this manganese complex could be a promising catalyst for the efficient conversion of CO2 and H2 to methanol at temperatures below 100-150 °C.

Fast Addition of s-Block Organometallic Reagents to CO2 -Derived Cyclic Carbonates at Room Temperature, Under Air, and in 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran

Fast addition of highly polar organometallic reagents (RMgX/RLi) to cyclic carbonates (derived from CO₂ as a sustainable C1 synthon) has been studied in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran as a green reaction medium or in the absence of external volatile organic solvents, at room temperature, and in the presence of air/moisture. These reaction conditions are generally forbidden with these highly reactive main-group organometallic compounds. The correct stoichiometry and nature of the polar organometallic alkylating or arylating reagent allows straightforward synthesis of: highly substituted tertiary alcohols, β-hydroxy esters, or symmetric ketones, working always under air and at room temperature. Finally, an unprecedented one-pot/two-step hybrid protocol is developed through combination of an Al-catalyzed cycloaddition of CO₂ and propylene oxide with the concomitant fast addition of RLi reagents to the in situ and transiently formed cyclic carbonate, thus allowing indirect conversion of CO₂ into the desired highly substituted tertiary alcohols without need for isolation or purification of any reaction intermediates.

Efficient Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from Unsaturated Acids and Carbon Dioxide and their Application in the Synthesis of Biobased Polyurethanes

Bio-derived furan- and diacid-derived cyclic carbonates have been synthesized in high yields from terminal epoxides and CO₂ . Furthermore, four highly substituted terpene-derived cyclic carbonates were isolated in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity in some cases. Eleven new cyclic carbonates derived from 10-undecenoic acid under mild reaction conditions were prepared, providing the corresponding carbonate products in excellent yields. The catalyst system also performed the conversion of an epoxidized fatty acid n-pentyl ester into a cyclic carbonate under relatively mild reaction conditions (80 °C, 20 bar, 24 h). This bis(cyclic carbonate) was obtained in high yields and with different cis/trans ratios depending on the co-catalyst used. An allyl alcohol by-product was only observed as a minor product when bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride was used as co-catalyst. Finally, two cyclic carbonates were used as building blocks for the preparation of non-isocyanate poly(hydroxy)urethanes by reaction with 1,4-diaminobutane.

Unraveling the catalytically preferential pathway between the direct and indirect hydrogenation of CO2 to CH3OH using N-heterocyclic carbene-based Mn(i) catalysts: a theoretical approach

The mechanistic investigation of direct vs. indirect CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol using single molecular NHC-based Mn(i) complexes.

CO2 Reduction to Methanol in the Liquid Phase: A Review

Excessive carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) emissions have been subject to extensive attention globally, since an enhanced greenhouse effect (global warming) owing to a high CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere could lead to severe climate change. The use of solar energy and other renewable energy to produce low-cost hydrogen, which is used to reduce CO₂ to produce bulk chemicals such as methanol, is a sustainable strategy for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and carbon resources. CO₂ conversion into methanol is exothermic, so that low temperature and high pressure are favorable for methanol formation. CO₂ is usually captured and recovered in the liquid phase. Herein, the emerging technologies for the hydrogenation of CO₂ to methanol in the condensed phase are reviewed. The development of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for this important hydrogenation reaction is summarized. Finally, mechanistic insight on CO₂ 's conversion into methanol over different catalysts is discussed by taking the available reaction pathways into account.

Enabling intensification of multiphase chemical processes with additive manufacturing

Fixed bed supports of various materials (metal, ceramic, polymer) and geometries are used to enhance the performance of many unit operations in chemical processes. Consider first metal and ceramic monolith support structures, which are typically extruded. Extruded monoliths contain regular, parallel channels enabling high throughput because of the low pressure drop accompanying high flow rate. However, extruded channels have a low surface-area-to-volume ratio resulting in low contact between the fluid phase and the support. Additive manufacturing, also referred to as three dimensional printing (3DP), can be used to overcome these disadvantages by offering precise control over key design parameters of the fixed bed including material-of-construction and total bed surface area, as well as accommodating system integration features compatible with continuous flow chemistry. These design parameters together with optimized extrinsic process conditions can be tuned to prepare customizable separation and reaction systems based on objectives for chemical process and/or the desired product. We discuss key elements of leveraging the flexibility of additive manufacturing to intensification with a focus on applications in continuous flow processes and disperse, multiphase systems enabling a range of scalable chemistry spanning discovery to manufacturing operations.

An Aminopyridinium Ionic Liquid: A Simple and Effective Bifunctional Organocatalyst for Carbonate Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide and Epoxides

An aminopyridinium ionic liquid is presented as a green, tunable, and active metal-free one-component catalytic system for the atom-efficient transformation of oxiranes and CO₂ to cyclic carbonates. Inclusion of a positively charged moiety into aminopyridines, through a simple single-step synthesis, provides a one-component ionic liquid catalytic system with superior activity; effective in ring opening of epoxide, CO₂ inclusion, and stabilization of oxoanionic intermediates. An efficiency assessment of a variety of positively charged aminopyridines was pursued, and the impact of temperature, catalyst loading, and the kind of nucleophile on the catalytic performance was also investigated. Under solvent-free conditions, this bifunctional organocatalytic system was used for the preparation of 18 examples of cyclic carbonates from a broad range of alkyl- and aryl-substituted oxiranes and CO₂ , where up to 98 % yield and high selectivity were achieved. DFT calculations validated a mechanism in which nucleophilic ring-opening and CO₂ inclusion occur simultaneously towards cyclic carbonate formation.

Cyclometalated Ruthenium Pincer Complexes as Catalysts for the α-Alkylation of Ketones with Alcohols

Ruthenium PNP pincer complexes bearing supplementary cyclometalated C,N‐bound ligands have been prepared and fully characterized for the first time. By replacing CO and H⁻ as ancillary ligands in such complexes, additional electronic and steric modifications of this topical class of catalysts are possible. The advantages of the new catalysts are demonstrated in the general α‐alkylation of ketones with alcohols following a hydrogen autotransfer protocol. Herein, various aliphatic and benzylic alcohols were applied as green alkylating agents for ketones bearing aromatic, heteroaromatic or aliphatic substituents as well as cyclic ones. Mechanistic investigations revealed that during catalysis, Ru carboxylate complexes are predominantly formed whereas neither the PNP nor the CN ligand are released from the catalyst in significant amounts.

Hydrogenative Depolymerization of End-of-Life Poly-(Bisphenol A Carbonate) Catalyzed by a Ruthenium-MACHO-Complex

The valorization of waste to valuable chemicals can contribute to a more resource-efficient and circular chemistry. In this regard, the selective degradation of end-of-life polymers/plastics to produce useful chemical building blocks can be a promising target. We have investigated the hydrogenative depolymerization of end-of-life poly(bisphenol A carbonate). Applying catalytic amounts of the commercial available Ruthenium-MACHO-BH complex the end-of-life polycarbonate was converted to bisphenol A and methanol. Importantly, bisphenol A can be reprocessed for the manufacture of new poly-(bisphenol A carbonate) and methanol can be utilized as energy storage material.

Polymers Based on Cyclic Carbonates as Trait d'Union Between Polymer Chemistry and Sustainable CO2 Utilization

Given the large amount of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, it is advantageous to use CO₂ as feedstock for the fabrication of everyday products, such as fuels and materials. An attractive way to use CO₂ in the synthesis of polymers is by the formation of five-membered cyclic organic carbonate monomers (5CCs). The sustainability of this synthetic approach is increased by using scaffolds prepared from renewable resources. Indeed, recent years have seen the rise of various types of carbonate syntheses and applications. 5CC monomers are often polymerized with diamines to yield polyhydroxyurethanes (PHU). Foams are developed from this type of polymers; moreover, the additional hydroxyl groups in PHU, absent in classical polyurethanes, lead to coatings with excellent adhesive properties. Furthermore, carbonate groups in polymers offer the possibility of post-functionalization, such as curing reactions under mild conditions. Finally, the polarity of carbonate groups is remarkably high, so polymers with carbonates side-chains can be used as polymer electrolytes in batteries or as conductive membranes. The target of this Review is to highlight the multiple opportunities offered by polymers prepared from and/or containing 5CCs. Firstly, the preparation of several classes of 5CCs is discussed with special focus on the sustainability of the synthetic routes. Thereafter, specific classes of polymers are discussed for which the use and/or presence of carbonate moieties is crucial to impart the targeted properties (foams, adhesives, polymers for energy applications, and other functional materials).

An Electrostatically Enhanced Phenol as a Simple and Efficient Bifunctional Organocatalyst for Carbon Dioxide Fixation

An electrostatically enhanced phenol as a simple and competent bifunctional organocatalyst for the atom-economical conversion of epoxides to cyclic carbonates under environmentally benign conditions is described. Incorporating a positively charged center into phenols through a modular one-step synthesis results in a bifunctional system with enhanced acidity and reactivity, capable of epoxide activation, a halide nucleophilic ring-opening process, and CO₂ incorporation in a synergistic fashion. A rational survey of the efficiency of different positively charged phenols and the influence of different parameters, such as temperature, catalyst loading, and the nature of the nucleophile, on catalytic activity was conducted. In addition, the time-dependent conversion of epoxide into the corresponding cyclic carbonate was further explored by FTIR-ATR and ¹ H NMR spectroscopy. This bifunctional catalytic platform is among one of the mildest and most efficient metal-free systems that is capable of converting a variety of epoxides into cyclic carbonates under virtually ambient conditions. The ¹ H NMR titration experiment validated the bifunctional catalytic mechanism wherein both the epoxide activation and the nucleophilic ring-opening process occur in concert en route to carbon dioxide fixation.

Catalytic Hydrogenation of Cyclic Carbonates using Manganese Complexes

Catalytic hydrogenation of cyclic carbonates to diols and methanol was achieved using a molecular catalyst based on earth-abundant manganese. The complex [Mn(CO)2 (Br)[HN(C2 H4 Pi Pr2 )2 ] 1 comprising commercially available MACHO ligand is an effective pre-catalyst operating under relatively mild conditions (T=120 °C, p(H2 )=30-60 bar). Upon activation with NaOt Bu, the formation of coordinatively unsaturated complex [Mn(CO)2 [N(C2 H4 Pi Pr2 )2 )] 5 was spectroscopically verified, which confirmed a kinetically competent intermediate. With the pre-activated complex, turnover numbers up to 620 and 400 were achieved for the formation of the diol and methanol, respectively. Stoichiometric reactions under catalytically relevant conditions provide insight into the stepwise reduction form the CO2 level in carbonates to methanol as final product.

Synthesis of Ethylene Glycol from Syngas via Oxidative Double Carbonylation of Ethanol to Diethyl Oxalate and Its Subsequent Hydrogenation

This work reports a novel sustainable two-step method for the synthesis of ethylene glycol (EG) using syngas. In the first step, diethyl oxalate was selectively synthesized via oxidative double carbonylation of ethanol and carbon monoxide (CO) using a ligand-free, recyclable Pd/C catalyst. In the second step, the diethyl oxalate produced underwent subsequent hydrogenation using [2-(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)-6-(diethylaminomethyl)pyridine]ruthenium(II) chlorocarbonyl hydride to get EG and ethanol. Thus, the generated ethanol can be recycled back to the first step for double carbonylation. This method gives a sustainable route to manufacture EG using carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Hydrogenation of CO2 -Derived Carbonates and Polycarbonates to Methanol and Diols by Metal-Ligand Cooperative Manganese Catalysis

The first base-metal-catalysed hydrogenation of CO₂ -derived carbonates to alcohols is presented. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions in the presence of a well-defined manganese complex with a loading as low as 0.25 mol %. The non-precious-metal homogenous catalytic system provides an indirect route for the conversion of CO₂ into methanol with the co-production of value-added (vicinal) diols in yields of up to 99 %. Experimental and computational studies indicate a metal-ligand cooperative catalysis mechanism.

An Improved Strategy for the Synthesis of Ethylene Glycol by Oxamate-Mediated Catalytic Hydrogenation

The present study reports an improved approach for the preparation of ethylene glycol (EG) by using carbon monoxide as C1 chemical by a two-step oxidative carbonylation and hydrogenation sequence. In the first step, oxamates are synthesized through oxidative cross double carbonylation of piperidine and ethanol by using Pd/C catalyst under phosphine ligand-free conditions and subsequently hydrogenated by Milstein's catalyst (carbonylhydrido[6-(di-t-butylphosphinomethylene)-2-(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)-1,6-dihydropyridine]ruthenium(II)). The presented stepwise oxamate-mediated coupling provides the basis for a new strategy for the synthesis of EG by selective upgrading of C1 chemicals.

Porous Ionic Polymers as a Robust and Efficient Platform for Capture and Chemical Fixation of Atmospheric CO2

Direct use of atmospheric CO₂ as a C₁ source to synthesize high-value chemicals through environmentally benign processes is of great interest, yet challenging. Porous heterogeneous catalysts that are capable of simultaneously capturing and converting CO₂ are promising candidates for such applications. Herein, a family of organic ionic polymers with nanoporous structure, large surface area, strong affinity for CO₂ , and very high density of catalytic active sites (halide ions) was synthesized through the free-radical polymerization of vinylfunctionalized quaternary phosphonium salts. The resultant porous ionic polymers (PIPs) exhibit excellent activities in the cycloaddition of epoxides with atmospheric CO₂ , outperforming the corresponding soluble phosphonium salt analogues and ranking among the highest of known metal-free catalytic systems. The high CO₂ uptake capacity of the PIPs facilitates the enrichment of CO₂ molecules around the catalytic centers, thereby benefiting its conversion. We have demonstrated for the first time that atmospheric CO₂ can be directly converted to cyclic carbonates at room temperature using a heterogeneous catalytic system under metal-solvent free conditions. Moreover, the catalysts proved to be robust and fully recyclable, demonstrating promising potential for practical utilization for the chemical fixation of CO₂ . Our work thereby paves a way to the advance of PIPs as a new type of platform for capture and conversion of CO₂ .