Scientists turn CO2 waste into valuable chemicals without toxic gas
Researchers have developed a two-step process that converts carbon dioxide and water into benzoic acids—high-value organic compounds used in pharmaceuticals and industrial products—while eliminating the need to handle dangerous carbon monoxide gas. The method recycles its catalysts efficiently, potentially lowering production costs and making CO2 utilization commercially viable.
Originaltitel: Synthesis of Benzoic Acids from Electrochemically Reduced CO<sub>2</sub> Using Heterogeneous Catalysts
<p>A method for the synthesis of benzoic acids from aryl iodides using two of the most abundant and sustainable feedstocks, carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and water, is disclosed. Central to this method is an effective and selective electrochemical reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> (eCO<sub>2</sub>RR) to CO, which mitigates unwanted dehalogenation reactions occurring when H<sub>2</sub> is produced via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In a 3-compartment set-up, CO<sub>2</sub> was reduced to CO electrochemically by using a surface-modified silver electrode in aqueous electrolyte. The ex-situ generated CO further underwent hydroxycarbonylation of aryl iodides by MOF-supported palladium catalyst in excellent yields at room temperature. The method avoids the direct handling of hazardous CO gas and gives a wide range of benzoic acid derivatives. Both components of the tandem system can be recycled for several consecutive runs while keeping a high catalytic activity.</p>