Selective reduction of CO2 to a methanol equivalent by B(C6F5)3-activated alkaline earth catalysis

Abstract

Treatment of β-diketiminato Mg and Ca amidoborane compounds with B(C₆F₅)₃ induces hydride elimination and formation of alkaline earth hydrido-tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate derivatives. Both species react with CO₂ to provide formate complexes, one of which has been structurally characterised, and may be applied to the highly selective reductive hydroboration of CO₂ with pinacolborane (HBpin) to provide the methanol equivalent, CH₃OBpin.