While extensive efforts have been directed toward the use of reduced carbon forms for energy applications and the generation of simple molecules, the potential of directly converting CO2 into complex higher carbon products has been much less explored. Here we report the direct catalytic conversion of CO2 into a C4 compound, 1,4-dioxane, with high selectivity (92%) through hydrogenation with supported Au (0) under mild conditions (3 bar and 100 °C). Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded in mesoporous silica beads (Au/SiO2) serve as the heterogeneous catalyst in this reaction. The catalyst has a well-defined nanostructure and excellent stability, showing no signs of deactivation after 32h of continuous exposure to CO2. Potential intermediates were studied through experimental methods, giving insight into the mechanism of this novel catalytic, highly selective, and one-step CO2 hydrogenation to a C4 compound. This work demonstrates the potential and versatility of CO2 hydrogenation in the generation of feedstock chemicals.

Highly-selective hydrogenation of CO2 to 1,4-dioxane under mild conditions

256th National Meeting (2018)

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