Selective reduction of CO sub(2) to a methanol equivalent by B(C sub(6)F sub(5)) sub(3)-activated alkaline earth catalysis

Treatment of beta -diketiminato Mg and Ca amidoborane compounds with B(C sub(6)F sub(5)) sub(3) induces hydride elimination and formation of alkaline earth hydrido-tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate derivatives. Both species react with CO sub(2) to provide formate complexes, one of which has been structurally characterised, and may be applied to the highly selective reductive hydroboration of CO sub(2) with pinacolborane (HBpin) to provide the methanol equivalent, CH sub(3)OBpin.