Transfer hydrogenation of carbon dioxide via bicarbonate promoted by bifunctional C–N chelating CpIr complexes

Metal–ligand cooperative Cp*Ir( iii ) complexes derived from primary benzylic amines effectively promote transfer hydrogenation of atmospheric CO 2 using 2-propanol at 80 °C. Isotope-labelling experiments strengthen that active Ir species can preferentially reduce bicarbonate congeners formed from CO 2 . The powerful transfer hydrogenation catalyst exhibits remarkable activity for the conversion of bicarbonates into formate salts with a turnover number up to 3200, even without H 2 and CO 2 .