Heterogeneous Organocatalysts for the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide with Silanes

The utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstock for chemical industries is gaining interest as a sustainable alternative to nonrenewable fossil resources. However, CO2 reduction is necessary to increase its energy content. Hydrosilane is a potential reducing agent that exhibits excellent reactivity under ambient conditions. CO2 hydrosilylation yields versatile products such as silylformate and methoxysilane, whereas formamides and N-methylated products are obtained in the presence of amines. In these transformations, organocatalysts are considered as the more sustainable choice of catalyst. In particular, heterogeneous organocatalysts featuring precisely designed active sites offer higher efficiency due to their recyclability. Herein, an overview is presented of the current development of basic organocatalysts immobilized on various supports for application in the chemical reduction of CO2 with hydrosilanes, and the potential active species parameters that might affect the catalytic activity are identified.

Automated summary

This article presents the current development of utilizing hydrosilanes in the chemical reduction of CO2, with a focus on organic catalysts. The use of heterogeneous organocatalysts with precisely designed active sites is emphasized for their recyclability and higher efficiency in these transformations.