A highly active sulfur based pincer ruthenium catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation

Abstract

The synthesis of a new air-stable SPS pincer ligand that supports a Ru catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation to formate is described. This rare S-donor based pincer system gives higher activity compared to related PNP supported Ru catalysts and is less dependent on Lewis acidic Li co-catalysts for achieving high turnover numbers. The SPS ligated Ru catalyst is also active for N-formylation of amines with CO2.