Iron-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Bicarbonates and Carbon Dioxide to Formates...

摘要

Numerous efforts have been expended in exploring homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and its derivatives as a C1 source for conversion to higher value chemicals. Most of the catalyst systems employed for this reaction involve precious metals such as rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and palladium. As efficacious as these metals are, their toxicity, limited availability, and high price has prompted a search for more viable alternatives. Iron-based catalysts are especially attractive in this context because of the abundant availability of the central metal. Indeed, significant progress has been made in the iron-catalyzed hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate but the challenges associated with using moisture and air sensitive iron-phosphine complexes have proven tedious. In their efforts to explore the catalytic properties of Knolker's iron complex (hydroxycyclopentadienyl ligand bound to an Fe(CO)2H center), the authors undertook an investigation of the hydrogenation of sodium bicarbonate using in situ-generated catalysts (Table 1).