Experimental and theoretical evidence suggests carbamate intermediates play a key role in CO2 sequestration catalysed by sterically hindered amines

(3-Ammonio-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)carbamate Dihydrate

(3-Ammonio-2,2-dimethylpropyl)carbamate dihydrate was synthesised. The title compound was characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction and IR-/Raman-spectroscopy. It has been demonstrated that a mixture of dilute acetic acid and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane is able to capture CO2 spontaneously from the atmosphere. An intramolecular hydrogen bond stabilises the conformation of the ylide-type title molecule. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds between all moieties connect them to a strand-type chain structure.

Molecular insights into the enhanced rate of CO2 absorption to produce bicarbonate in aqueous 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol

Facile reorganization of H₂O molecules surrounding N of sterically hindered amine 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, relative to tertiary amines, enhances CO₂ absorption rate.

On the origin of preferred bicarbonate production from carbon dioxide (CO2) capture in aqueous 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP)

The strong interaction between AMP and H₂O is found to promote bicarbonate production while suppressing carbamate formation.