CO2 activation by manganese pincer complexes through different modes of metal-ligand cooperation

We report here the activation of CO2 using two Mn-PNN pincer complexes that can exhibit different modes of metal-ligand cooperation amido/amino mode that involves [1,2]-activation of CO2 and dearomatization/aromatization mode that involves [1,3]-activation of CO2. We also compare their catalytic activity for CO2 hydrogenation.