Mechanistic insights into hydride transfer for catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 with cobalt complexes

Abstract

The catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ to formate by Co(dmpe)₂H can proceed via direct hydride transfer or via CO₂ coordination to Co followed by reductive elimination of formate. The different nature of the rate-determining step in the two mechanisms may provide new insights into designing catalysts with improved performance.