Conversion of carbon dioxide to oxalate by α-ketocarboxylatocopper(II) complexes

Metal-Tuned Ligand Reactivity Enables CX2 (X = O, S) Homocoupling with Spectator Cu Centers

Ligand non-innocence is ubiquitous in catalysis with ligands in synthetic complexes contributing as electron reservoirs or co-sites for substrate activation. The latter chemical non-innocence is manifested in H+ storage or relay at sites beyond the metal primary coordination sphere. Reaction of a competent CO2-to-oxalate reduction catalyst, namely, [K(THF)3](Cu3SL), where L3- is a tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane, with CS2 affords tetrathiooxalate at long reaction times or at high CS2 concentrations, where otherwise an equilibrium is established between the starting species and a complex-CS2 adduct in which the CS2 is bound to the C atom on the ligand backbone. X-ray diffraction analysis of this adduct reveals no apparent metal participation, suggesting an entirely ligand-based reaction controlled by the charge state of the cluster. Thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the aforementioned Cligand-CS2 bond were experimentally determined, and trends with cation Lewis acidity were studied, where more acidic cations shift the equilibrium toward the adduct. Relevance of such an adduct in the reduction of CO2 to oxalate by this complex is supported by DFT studies, similar effects of countercation Lewis acidity on product formation, and the homocoupled heterocumulene product speciation as determined by isotopic labeling studies. Taken together, this system extends chemical non-innocence beyond H+ to effect catalytic transformations involving C-C bond formation and represents the rarest example of metal-ligand cooperativity, that is, spectator metal ion(s) and the ligand as the reaction center.

Revisiting Reduction of CO2 to Oxalate with First-Row Transition Metals: Irreproducibility, Ambiguous Analysis, and Conflicting Reactivity

Construction of higher C_≥2 compounds from CO₂ constitutes an attractive transformation inspired by nature's strategy to build carbohydrates. However, controlled C-C bond formation from carbon dioxide using environmentally benign reductants remains a major challenge. In this respect, reductive dimerization of CO₂ to oxalate represents an important model reaction enabling investigations on the mechanism of this simplest CO₂ coupling reaction. Herein, we present common pitfalls encountered in CO₂ reduction, especially its reductive coupling, based on established protocols for the conversion of CO₂ into oxalate. Moreover, we provide an example to systematically assess these reactions. Based on our work, we highlight the importance of utilizing suitable orthogonal analytical methods and raise awareness of oxidative reactions that can likewise result in the formation of oxalate without incorporation of CO₂. These results allow for the determination of key parameters, which can be used for tailoring of prospective catalytic systems and will promote the advancement of the entire field.

DNA intercalative trinuclear Cu(ii) complex with new trans axial nitrato ligation as an efficient catalyst for atmospheric CO2 fixation to epoxides

A trinuclear octahedral Cu^II complex was synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and behaved as a catalyst for CO₂ fixation to epoxide and as a DNA binder.

Linear End-On Coordination Modes of CO2

The second case of linear end-on and evidence for an unprecedented bridging end-on coordination mode of CO₂ have been discovered for vanadium aryloxide complexes of the tetradentate ligand system (ONNO)^2- (ONNO=2,4-Me₂ -2-(OH) C₆ H₂ CH₂ ]₂ N(CH₂ )₂ NMe₂ ). The reaction of divalent (ONNO)V^II (TMEDA) with CO₂ and under the appropriate reaction conditions affords the trivalent (ONNO)V^III (OH)(η¹ -CO₂ ) resulting from an intermediate CO₂ deoxygenation pathway followed by H-atom abstraction from the aromatic solvent, and CO₂ fixation. In contrast, the reduction of trivalent (ONNO)V^III Cl(THF) with K, followed by exposure to CO₂ in ethereal solvent, afforded the dinuclear [(ONNO)V^II ]₂ (μ_, η¹ -CO₂ ).

Catalytic fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by copper(ii) complexes of bidentate ligands

The copper(ii) complexes of simple bidentate ligands have shown selective fixation and sequestration of atmospheric CO₂. The fixation of CO₂ proceeds via copper(i) species and geometrical interconversions and afforded CO₃²⁻ bound complexes.