Carbon Dioxide Utilization in Organic Synthesis
Authors:-Associate Professor Mr A Rajasekar Reddy
Abstract-Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a sustainable, abundant, and non-toxic carbon feedstock, offering immense potential in organic synthesis. However, its thermodynamic stability and low reactivity necessitate innovative activation strategies. Recent advances have demonstrated CO₂’s utility in various transformations, including carboxylation, cycloaddition, hydrogenation, and carbonylation reactions. These processes enable the production of valuable compounds such as carboxylic acids, carbonates, carbamates, and heterocycles, often using transition metal catalysts, organocatalysts, or electrochemical methods. 1Catalytic systems such as metal complexes, N-heterocyclic carbenes, and metal-organic frameworks have been instrumental in overcoming the inherent challenges of CO₂ activation. Additionally, emerging approaches like electrocatalysis and photocatalysis provide sustainable pathways for CO₂ reduction and incorporation into organic frameworks. By converting a greenhouse gas into valuable products, CO₂ utilization not only addresses environmental concerns but also advances green chemistry. Ongoing efforts focus on improving reaction efficiency, selectivity, and scalability, paving the way for industrial applications and contributing to a circular carbon economy.
