K. Merz, M. Moreno, E. Löffler, L. Khodeir,
A. Rittermeier, K. Fink, K. Kotsis, M. Muhler, M. Driess
Lithium-promoted hydrogenation
of carbon dioxide to formates by heterobimetallic
hydridozinc aloxide clusters
Chem. Commun.
(2008) 73.
The remarkably distinct reactivity of hydridozinc heterobimetallic cubanes [(HZnOtBu)4-n(thf·LiOtBu)n] 1a-1d towards CO2 is reported. The hydride transfer from Zn-H to CO2 is drastically accelerated in the presence of Li ions in 1b-1d which lead to the respective metal formate hydrates. The systems are inspiring models for the selective conversion of watergas into formates on lithium-promoted ZnO supports.