Progress towards the synthesis of base metal catalysts for CO2 functionalization

Abstract

Atmospheric CO₂ provides a renewable reservoir of carbon that could be used to produce MeOH for fuel and chemical feedstocks. CO₂ is kinetically inert, so catalysis is necessary (homogeneous catalysis preferable). Iron-based catalysts use cheap, non-toxic, and abundant materials. However, they have lower TON and TOF than noble metal catalysts. No iron catalysts reported go directly to MeOH. Ligands can be tailored to modify activity. 2,6-diaminopyridine-based PNP ligands stabilize Fe center and increase electron density. Sulfonamide moieties known to increase hydrogen transfer efficiency in noble metal catalysts. The objective of this study is to complete synthesis of precatalysts going from synthesis of ligand precursors to synthesis of the final precatalyst complexes.