Fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by ruthenium complexes bearing an NHC-based pincer ligand: formation of a methylcarbonato complex and its methylationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details and characterization data, including crystallographic data for 1, [(CNC)2Ru](PF6)2·Et2O, 2·MeCOMe·0.5Et2O, 3·Et2O, and 4·MeCN. CCDC 1039531-1039535. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c5dt00476d

A methylcarbonato ruthenium complex was prepared by capture of CO 2 from air using the (CNC)(bpy)Ru scaffold. The methylcarbonato complex was relatively inert to decarboxylation. Treatments with methylating reagents released dimethylcarbonate. Capture of CO 2 from air gave a methylcarbonato ruthenium complex, which was reacted with methylating reagents to release dimethylcarbonate.