A binary catalyst system of a cationic Ru–CNC pincer complex with an alkali metal salt for selective hydroboration of carbon dioxide

Abstract

Binary catalyst systems comprising a cationic Ru-CNC pincer complex and an alkali metal salt were developed for selective hydroboration of CO₂ utilizing pinacolborane at r.t. and 1 atm CO₂, with the combination of [Ru(CNC_Bn)(CO)₂(H)][PF₆] and KOCO₂^tBu producing formoxyborane in 76% yield. A bicyclic catalytic mechanism was proposed and discussed.