Cooperative Bond Activation and Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide at a Group 13 Metal Center

A single-component ambiphilic system capable of the cooperative activation of protic, hydridic and apolar H-X bonds across a Group 13 metal/activated beta-diketiminato (Nacnac) ligand framework is reported. The hydride complex derived from the activation of H-2 is shown to be a competent catalyst for the highly selective reduction of CO2 to a methanol derivative. To our knowledge, this process represents the first example of a reduction process of this type catalyzed by a molecular gallium complex.