Binuclear molybdenum alkoxide as the versatile catalyst for the conversion of carbon dioxide

The triply bonded dimolybdenum compound, Mo-2((OBu)-Bu-t)(6) (1), was investigated as a homogeneous catalyst for the conversion of CO2. The compound 1 acted as a rare example of a versatile catalyst with an impressive ability to transform CO2 into various valuable products, including propiolic acids, cyclic carbonates, and benzo[d]thiazole- and benzo[d]oxazolecarboxylic acids, in high yields with short reaction times and excellent selectivity at ambient pressure and low temperatures (25-75 degrees C). This is the first report of the application of a metal-metal bond-containing species in the catalytic conversion of CO2.