Owing to the increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), human life and the ecological environment have been affected by global warming and climate changes. To mitigate the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere various strategies have been implemented such as separation, storage, and utilization of CO2. Although it has been explored for many years, hydrogenation reaction, an important representative among chemical conversions of CO2, offers challenging opportunities for sustainable development in energy and the environment. Indeed, the hydrogenation of CO2 not only reduces the increasing CO2 buildup but also produces fuels and chemicals. In this critical review we discuss recent developments in this area, with emphases on catalytic reactivity, reactor innovation, and reaction mechanism. We also provide an overview regarding the challenges and opportunities for future research in the field (319 references).

Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide

Catalysis for the valorization of exhaust carbon: from CO2 to chemicals, materials, and fuels. technological use of CO2.

Iron Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

The Golden Age of Transfer Hydrogenation

The direct and catalyzed electrochemistry of CO2 partake in the contemporary attempts to reduce this inert molecule to fuels by means of solar energy, either directly, after conversion of light to electricity, or indirectly in that all elements of comprehension derived from electrochemical experiments can be used in the design and interpretation of photochemical experiments. Following reviews of the activity in the field until 2007–2008, the present review reports more recent findings even if their interpretation remains uncertain. It also develops useful notions that allow analyzing and comparing more rigorously the performances of existing catalysts when the necessary data are available. Among the general trends that transpire presently and are likely to be the object of active future work emphasis is put on the favorable role of acid addition in homogeneous catalytic systems and on the crucial chemical role of the electrode material in heterogeneous catalysis.

Catalysis of the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

This tutorial review describes recent progress in the development of homogeneous catalytic methodology for the direct generation of hydrogen gas from formic acid and alcohols.

Hydrogen generation from formic acid and alcohols using homogeneous catalysts

Application of ruthenium complexes of triazole-containing tridentate ligands to asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

(Cyclopentadienone)iron Shvo Complexes: Synthesis and Applications to Hydrogen Transfer Reactions

The preparation of a range of asymmetric iron and ruthenium-cyclone complexes, and their application to the asymmetric reduction of a ketone, are described. The enantioselectivity of ketone reduction is influenced by a single chiral centre in the catalyst, as well as by the planar chirality in the catalyst. This represents the first example of asymmetric ketone reduction using an iron cyclone catalyst.

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Developing asymmetric iron and ruthenium-based cyclone complexes; complex factors influence the asymmetric induction in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones

A convenient and simple three-component synthesis of substituted pyridylacetic acid derivatives is reported. The approach centers on the dual reactivity of Meldrum’s acid derivatives, initially as nucleophiles to perform substitution on activated pyridine-N-oxides, then as electrophiles with a range of nucleophiles to trigger ring-opening and decarboxylation.

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Tarn C. Johnson

Papers

Hydrogen generation from formic acid and alcohols using homogeneous catalysts

Application of ruthenium complexes of triazole-containing tridentate ligands to asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

(Cyclopentadienone)iron Shvo Complexes: Synthesis and Applications to Hydrogen Transfer Reactions

Developing asymmetric iron and ruthenium-based cyclone complexes; complex factors influence the asymmetric induction in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Three-Component Synthesis of Pyridylacetic Acid Derivatives by Arylation/Decarboxylative Substitution of Meldrum’s Acids