Transforming Waste into Valuable Chemicals: CO₂ Conversion Enabled by Porphyrin-Based Catalysts

Abstract

Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming and the resulting climate change, which is provoking a significant increase in extreme weather events that impact our health, environment, and economy. Nowadays the scientific community is focusing many efforts on the use of CO 2 as a C1 source in the synthesis of a wide range of useful products, in alignment with circular economy principles [1]. Here we report the reaction of CO 2 with epoxides and aziridines, forming cyclic carbonates and oxazolidin-2-ones, by a 100% atom-efficient procedure promoted by porphyrin-based catalytic systems [2]. Considering that the contemporary presence of electrophile and nucleophile promoters is usually required for these classes of transformations, several binary and bifunctional porphyrin-based systems will be discussed with the final goal to underline the advantages of employing these systems in terms of broad applicability and eco-tolerance. Porphyrins exhibit remarkable chemical versatility, allowing for precise tuning of catalytic performances and reaction chemo-selectivity. Furthermore, the heterogenization of single-site catalysts onto solid supports enhances practical applicability [3]. In addition, synthetic protocols will also be discussed from a mechanistic point of view on the basis of spectroscopic and theoretical studies and taking into account the identification of active intermediates [4]. References [1] A. Alok, R. Shrestha, S. Ban, S. Devkota, B. Uprety, R. Joshi J. Environ. Chem. Eng. , 2022 , 10 , 106922. [2] a) M. Cavalleri, C. Damiano, G. Manca, E. Gallo Chem. Eur. J. , 2023 , 29 , e202202729. b) C. Damiano, P. Sonzini, G. Manca, E. Gallo Eur. J. Org. Chem. , 2021 , 2807. c) P. Sonzini, C. Damiano, D. Intrieri, G. Manca and E. Gallo Adv. Synth. Catal. 2020 , 362 , 2961. [3] P. Sonzini, N. Berthet, C. Damiano, V. Dufaud, E. Gallo J. Catal. , 2022 , 414 , 143. b) C. Damiano, A. Fata, M. Cavalleri, G. Manca, E. Gallo submitted . [4] C. Damiano, N. Panza, J. Nagy, E. Gallo, G. Manca New J. Chem. , 2023 , 47 , 4306. Figure 1