Recent emphasis has been placed in the utilization of CO2 as a C1 source. Employing this strategy, two distinct products have been reported for the reduction of CO2 when combined with H2 and an amine in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst. The different reduced products arise from formal C–N or C–O bond scission yielding methanol or a methylated amine, respectively. Both products are presumed to form from the key formamide intermediate. Catalysts selective for C–N bond cleavage have been thoroughly developed however, catalysts selective for C–O bond scission remain rare. In an effort to investigate C–N vs. C–O cleavage, a series of formamides were hydrogenated using a collection of organometallic hydrogenation catalysts. Disclosed herein is a rare example of a switchable catalyst capable of selectively yielding C–O or C–N bond cleaved products.

Homogeneous hydrogenation of amides: Investigation of C–N vs. C–O bond cleavage in the context of CO2 hydrogenation

254th National Meeting (2017)

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