Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids and Esters from CO2

Palladium-Catalyzed Esterification of Aryl Fluorosulfates with Aryl Formates

An efficient palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl fluorosulfates with aryl formates for the facile synthesis of esters was developed. The cross-coupling reactions proceeded effectively in the presence of a palladium catalyst, phosphine ligand, and triethylamine in DMF to produce the corresponding esters in moderate to good yields. Of note, functionalities or substituents, such as nitro, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, trifluoromethyl, methylsulfonyl, trifluoromethoxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, methoxy, N,N-dimethyl, and [1,3]dioxolyl, were well-tolerated in the reactions, which could be kept for late-stage modification. The reactions employing readily available and relatively robust aryl fluorosulfates as coupling electrophiles could potentially serve as an attractive alternative to traditional cross-couplings with the use of aryl halides and pseudohalides as substrates.

Cobalt-catalyzed carboxylation of aryl and vinyl chlorides with CO2

The transition-metal-catalyzed carboxylation of aryl and vinyl chlorides with CO2 is rarely studied, and has been achieved only with a Ni catalyst or combination of palladium and photoredox. In this work, the cobalt-catalyzed carboxylation of aryl and vinyl chlorides and bromides with CO2 has been developed. These transformations proceed under mild conditions and exhibit a broad substrate scope, affording the corresponding carboxylic acids in good to high yields.

Ni-Catalyzed Direct Carboxylation of an Unactivated C-H Bond with CO2

The transition-metal-catalyzed direct carboxylation of an unactivated C-H bond is rarely reported, and no example of catalysis using abundant and cheap nickel has been reported. In this work, the first Ni-catalyzed direct carboxylation of an unactivated C-H bond under an atmospheric pressure of CO₂ is reported. This method affords moderate to high carboxylation yields of various methyl carboxylates under mild conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a Ni(0)-Ni(II)-Ni(I) catalytic cycle may be involved in this reaction.

Pyridine-Chelated Imidazo[1,5-a]Pyridine N-Heterocyclic Carbene Nickel(II) Complexes for Acrylate Synthesis from Ethylene and CO2

Nickel(II) dichloride complexes with a pyridine-chelated imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-ylidene py-ImPy ligand were developed as novel catalyst precursors for acrylate synthesis reaction from ethylene and carbon dioxide (CO2), a highly promising sustainable process in terms of carbon capture and utilization (CCU). Two types of ImPy salts were prepared as new C,N-bidentate ligand precursors; py-ImPy salts (3, 4a–4e) having a pyridine group at C(5) on ImPy and a N-picolyl-ImPy salt (10) having a picolyl group at N atom on ImPy. Nickel(II) complexes such as py-ImPyNi(II)Cl2 (7, 8a–8e) and N-picolyl-ImPyNi(II)Cl2 (12) were synthesized via transmetalation protocol from silver(I) complexes, py-ImPyAgCl (5, 6a–6e) and N-picolyl-ImPyAgCl (11). X-ray diffraction analysis of nickel(II) complexes (7, 8b, 12) showed a monomeric distorted tetrahedral geometry and a six-membered chelate ring structure. py-ImPy ligands formed a more planar six-membered chelate with the nickel center than did N-picolyl-ImPy ligand. py-ImPyNi(II)Cl2 complexes (8a–8e) with tert-butyl substituents exhibited noticeable catalytic activity in acrylate synthesis from ethylene and CO2 (up to 108% acrylate). Interestingly, the use of additional additives including monodentate phosphines increased catalytic activity up to 845% acrylate (TON 8).

Formal C-H Carboxylation of Unactivated Arenes

A formal C-H carboxylation of unactivated arenes using CO₂ in green solvents is described. The present strategy combines a sterically controlled Ir-catalyzed C-H borylation followed by a Cu-catalyzed carboxylation of the in situ generated organoboronates. The reaction is highly regioselective for the C-H carboxylation of 1,3-disubstituted and 1,2,3-trisubstituted benzenes, 1,2- or 1,4-symmetrically substituted benzenes, fluorinated benzenes and different heterocycles. The developed methodology was applied to the late-stage C-H carboxylation of commercial drugs and ligands.

Exploration of New Biomass-Derived Solvents: Application to Carboxylation Reactions

A range of hitherto unexplored biomass-derived chemicals have been evaluated as new sustainable solvents for a large variety of CO₂ -based carboxylation reactions. Known biomass-derived solvents (biosolvents) are also included in the study and the results are compared with commonly used solvents for the reactions. Biosolvents can be efficiently applied in a variety of carboxylation reactions, such as Cu-catalyzed carboxylation of organoboranes and organoboronates, metal-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation, borocarboxylation, and other related reactions. For many of these reactions, the use of biosolvents provides comparable or better yields than the commonly used solvents. The best biosolvents identified are the so far unexplored candidates isosorbide dimethyl ether, acetaldehyde diethyl acetal, rose oxide, and eucalyptol, alongside the known biosolvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. This strategy was used for the synthesis of the commercial drugs Fenoprofen and Flurbiprofen.

CO2 = CO + [O]: recent advances in carbonylation of C–H bonds with CO2

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an ideal one-carbon source owing to its nontoxicity, abundance, availability, and recyclability.

Promising reagents for difluoroalkylation

This review describes recent advances in difluoroalkylation reactions using different substrates.

Synthesis of higher carboxylic acids from ethers, CO2 and H2

Synthesis of higher carboxylic acids using CO2 and H2 is of great importance, because CO2 is an attractive renewable C1 resource and H2 is a cheap and clean reductant. Herein we report a route to produce higher carboxylic acids via reaction of ethers with CO2 and H2. We show that the reaction can be efficiently catalyzed by an IrI4 catalyst with LiI as promoter at 170 °C, 5 MPa of CO2 and 2 MPa of H2. The catalytic system applies to various ether substrates. The mechanistic study indicates that the ethers are converted to olefins, which are further transformed into alkyl iodides. The higher carboxylic acids are produced by carbonylation of alkyl iodides with CO generated in situ via RWGS reaction. This report offers an alternative strategy of higher carboxylic acid synthesis and CO2 transformation.

Cycloaddition of atmospheric CO2 to epoxides under solvent-free conditions: a straightforward route to carbonates by green chemistry metrics

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into value-added organic compounds has received more and more attention over recent years, not only because this gas is one of the major anthropogenic greenhouse gases, but also because it has been regarded as an abundant, inexpensive, nontoxic, nonflammable, and renewable one-carbon (C1) resource. Along these lines, the synthesis of five-membered cyclic carbonates employing CO2 as a safe alternative to toxic reagents such as phosgene or its derivatives is of great interest because of their wide range of applications in organic synthesis. However, most of CO2 incorporation reactions into carbonates are carried out in toxic and non-recyclable organic solvents. Furthermore, these transformations usually proceed at elevated pressures or supercritical CO2 conditions. Recently, several catalytic systems have been developed that allow the synthesis of functionalized carbonates from the reaction of atmospheric CO2 with corresponding epoxides under solvent-free conditions. This review is an attempt to summarize the most important advances and discoveries in this interesting research arena. The review is divided into three major sections. The first section will discuss ionic liquid catalyzed coupling reactions. The second will cover organocatalyzed reactions. The third focuses exclusively on metal-catalyzed fixations. Notably, the third section has been classified based on the metal element that carries out the catalysis (i.e. copper, palladium, zinc).

C-H Bond Carboxylation with Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a nontoxic, renewable, and abundant C₁ source, whereas C-H bond functionalization represents one of the most important approaches to the construction of carbon-carbon bonds and carbon-heteroatom bonds in an atom- and step-economical manner. Combining the chemical transformation of CO₂ with C-H bond functionalization is of great importance in the synthesis of carboxylic acids and their derivatives. The contents of this Review are organized according to the type of C-H bond involved in carboxylation. The primary types of C-H bonds are as follows: C(sp)-H bonds of terminal alkynes, C(sp² )-H bonds of (hetero)arenes, vinylic C(sp² )-H bonds, the ipso-C(sp² )-H bonds of the diazo group, aldehyde C(sp² )-H bonds, α-C(sp³ )-H bonds of the carbonyl group, γ-C(sp³ )-H bonds of the carbonyl group, C(sp³ )-H bonds adjacent to nitrogen atoms, C(sp³ )-H bonds of o-alkyl phenyl ketones, allylic C(sp³ )-H bonds, C(sp³ )-H bonds of methane, and C(sp³ )-H bonds of halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons. In addition, multicomponent reactions, tandem reactions, and key theoretical studies related to the carboxylation of C-H bonds are briefly summarized. Transition-metal-free, organocatalytic, electrochemical, and light-driven methods are highlighted.

Visible light-promoted CO2 fixation with imines to synthesize diaryl α-amino acids

Light-mediated transformations with CO₂ have recently attracted great attention, with the focus on CO₂ incorporation into C–C double and triple bonds, organohalides and amines. Herein is demonstrated visible light -mediated umpolung imine reactivity capable of engaging CO₂ to afford α-amino acid derivatives. By employing benzophenone ketimine derivatives, CO₂ fixation by hydrocarboxylation of C=N double bonds is achieved. Good to excellent yields of a broad range of α,α–disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives are obtained under mild conditions (rt, atmospheric pressure of CO₂, visible light). A procedure that avoids tedious chromatographic purification and uses sustainable sunlight is developed to highlight the simplicity of this method.

Fixation of CO₂ in organic molecules is an area of great interest due to the implications in sustainable chemistry. Here, the authors show a visible light-mediated hydrocarboxylation of ketimines with atmospheric CO₂ to afford a number of α,α–diaryl α-amino acid derivatives.

Transition Metal-Free CO2 Fixation into New Carbon-Carbon Bonds

CO₂ is the ultimate renewable carbon source on Earth and the essential C₁ building block for carbohydrate biosynthesis in photosynthetic organisms. Modern synthetic chemistry is facing the key challenge of developing fundamental transformations, such as C-C bond formation, in a sustainable and efficient manner from renewable sources. In this Minireview, the most significant methods recently reported for CO₂ fixation under transition metal-free conditions are summarized, organized into three different chapters according to the nature of the chemical transformation that forges the new C-C bond. The focus is on the mechanistic aspects of the different CO₂ activation modes, with specific attention to those systems that operate under catalytic conditions.

Selective and Catalytic Hydrocarboxylation of Enamides and Imines with CO2 to Generate α,α-Disubstituted α-Amino Acids

The first catalytic hydrocarboxylation of enamides and imines with CO₂ to generate valuable α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids is reported. Notably, excellent chemo- and regio-selectivity are achieved, significantly different from previous reports on β-carboxylation of enamides, homocoupling or reduction of imines. Moreover, this transition-metal-free procedure exhibits low loading of an inexpensive catalyst, easily available substrates, mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, facile scalability and easy product derivatization, providing great potential for application in organic synthesis, pharmaceutical chemistry, and biochemistry.

Cobalt- and rhodium-catalyzed carboxylation using carbon dioxide as the C1 source

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is one of the most important materials as renewable chemical feedstock. In this review, the Co- and Rh-catalyzed transformation of CO₂ via carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions is summarized. Combinations of metals (cobalt or rhodium), substrates, and reducing agents realize efficient carboxylation reactions using CO₂. The carboxylation of propargyl acetates and alkenyl triflates using cobalt complexes as well as the cobalt-catalyzed reductive carboxylation of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and carboxyamides in the presence of Et₂Zn proceed. A Co complex has been demonstrated to act as an efficient catalyst in the carboxylation of allylic C(sp³)-H bonds. Employing zinc as the reductant, carboxyzincation and the four-component coupling reaction between alkyne, acrylates, CO₂, and zinc occur efficiently. Rh complexes also catalyze the carboxylation of arylboronic esters, C(sp²)-H carboxylation of aromatic compounds, and hydrocarboxylation of styrene derivatives. The Rh-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of diynes and CO₂ proceeds to afford pyrones.

Synthesis of Oxazolidin-2-ones from Unsaturated Amines with CO2 by Using Homogeneous Catalysis

Carbon dioxide (CO₂ ), a well-known greenhouse gas, is also a nontoxic, readily accessible, and renewable one-carbon (C1) source. However, owing to its thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness, the efficient utilization of CO₂ is challenging. Much effort has been devoted to achieving efficient and selective organic transformations of CO₂ . Recently, the synthesis of important oxazolidin-2-ones from unsaturated amines by using CO₂ has attracted much attention and been heavily studied. This Focus Review presents recent advances in this area by using homogenous catalysis. The cyclization of amines that contain alkynes, alkenes, and allenes with CO₂ is discussed, and possible reaction mechanisms and applications of these transformations are also described.

Catalytic Lactonization of Unactivated Aryl C-H Bonds with CO2: Experimental and Computational Investigation

The first catalytic lactonization of unactivated aryl C-H bonds with CO₂ to afford important phthalides is reported. Notably, this method features high selectivity, excellent functional group tolerance, smooth scalability, and facile product diversification. DFT calculations reveal that a novel insertion of two CO₂ into the O-Pd bond of a palladacycle might be the key step, providing great potential and a different perspective for carbonylation with CO₂.

Advancements in six-membered cyclic carbonate (1,3-dioxan-2-one) synthesis utilizing carbon dioxide as a C1 source

This review article surveys literature methods for the synthesis of six-membered cyclic carbonates using various substrates in the presence of CO2 with special emphasis on the mechanistic aspects of the reactions. We have classified these reactions based on the type of starting material.

Oxy-Alkylation of Allylamines with Unactivated Alkyl Bromides and CO2 via Visible-Light-Driven Palladium Catalysis

A selective oxy-alkylation of allylamines with unactivated alkyl bromides and CO₂ via visible-light-driven palladium catalysis is reported. The commercially available Pd(PPh₃)₄ is used as the sole catalyst in this three-component reaction. A variety of tertiary, secondary, and primary alkyl bromides undergo reactions to generate important 2-oxazolidinones in high yields and selectivity. The mild reaction conditions, easy scalability, and facile derivatization of products provide great potential for application in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry.

Ruthenium-catalyzed umpolung carboxylation of hydrazones with CO2

The first ruthenium-catalyzed umpolung carboxylation of hydrazones with CO₂ to generate important aryl acetic acids is reported.

The first ruthenium-catalyzed umpolung carboxylation of hydrazones with CO₂ to generate important aryl acetic acids is reported. Besides aldehyde hydrazones, a variety of ketone hydrazones, which have not been successfully applied in previous umpolung reactions with other reactive electrophiles, also show high reactivity and selectivity under mild conditions. Moreover, this operationally simple protocol features good functional group tolerance, is readily scalable, and offers easy derivation of important structures, including bioactive felbinac and adiphenine. Computational studies reveal that this umpolung reaction proceeds through the generation of a Ru-nitrenoid followed by concerted [4 + 2] cycloaddition with CO₂.

Current advances in the catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide by molecular catalysts: an update

Recent advances (2015–) in the catalytic conversion of CO₂ by metal-based and metal-free systems are discussed.

Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl C–H bonds in benzamides with CO2

Herein, we report the first Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of unactivated aryl C–H bonds in benzamides under 1 atm of CO₂ to directly afford important phthalimides.

Oxy-Difluoroalkylation of Allylamines with CO2 via Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis

A selective oxy-difluoroalkylation of allylamines with carbon dioxide (CO₂) via visible-light photoredox catalysis is reported. These multicomponent reactions are efficient and environmentally friendly to generate a series of important 2-oxazolidinones with functionalized difluoroalkyl groups. The good functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, easy scalability, mild reaction conditions, and facile functionalization of products provide great potential for application in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry.

Visible-Light-Driven Iron-Promoted Thiocarboxylation of Styrenes and Acrylates with CO2

The first thiocarboxylation of styrenes and acrylates with CO₂ was realized by using visible light as a driving force and catalytic iron salts as promoters. A variety of important β-thioacids were obtained in high yields. This multicomponent reaction proceeds in an atom- and redox-economical manner with broad substrate scope under mild reaction conditions. Notably, high regio-, chemo-, and diasteroselectivity are observed. Mechanistic studies indicate that a radical pathway can account for the unusual regioselectivity.