Binuclear molybdenum alkoxide as the versatile catalyst for the conversion of carbon dioxide

Abstract

The triply bonded dimolybdenum compound, Mo₂(O^tBu)₆ (1), was investigated as a homogeneous catalyst for the conversion of CO₂. The compound 1 acted as a rare example of a versatile catalyst with an impressive ability to transform CO₂ into various valuable products, including propiolic acids, cyclic carbonates, and benzo[d]thiazole- and benzo[d]oxazolecarboxylic acids, in high yields with short reaction times and excellent selectivity at ambient pressure and low temperatures (25–75 °C). This is the first report of the application of a metal–metal bond-containing species in the catalytic conversion of CO₂.