Magnetic core-shell composites accessed by coordination assembly boost catalytic CO2 valorization

Magnetic core-shell composites are readily accessed by encapsulating Fe3O4 nanoparticles with NHC-M (M = Ir, Pd) coordination assemblies, which function as solid molecular catalysts and exhibit enhanced catalytic activity compared to the corresponding bis-NHC-Ir molecules in both hydro-genation and dehydrogenation reactions related to CO2. A record turnover number (TON: 1.69 x 106) was achieved in the hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid. In addition, robust solid catalysts can be magnetically recovered and reused for more than 11 runs without obvious loss in activity and selectivity for the dehydrogenation of ammonium formate, even at 10-6 mmol level catalyst load-ings.& COPY; 2023, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Magnetic core-shell composites of Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated with NHC-M (M = Ir, Pd) coordination assemblies act as solid molecular catalysts with enhanced catalytic activity in CO2 hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. The hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid achieved a record turnover number (TON: 1.69 x 106). The robust solid catalysts can be magnetically recovered and reused for more than 11 runs without significant loss in activity and selectivity, even at a catalyst loading level of 10-6 mmol.