Transition Metal-Catalyzed Reductive Functionalization of CO2

Reductive functionalization of CO2 combining both the formation of the new bonds and CO2 reduction in the presence of reductant, such as molecular hydrogen, hydrosilane, or hydroborane has become increasingly attractive, which enlarges the spectra of compounds directly available from CO2 thus provides fresh idea for CO2 chemistry. This microreview briefly summarizes recent advances in new bond construction using CO2 as formyl, methylene, and methyl source with transition-metal catalyst, which are divided into sections according to C-N, C-C, and C-O bonds formation in the presence of nitrogen-, carbon-, and oxygen-nucleophiles respectively. The challenges and opportunities with future trends of the reductive functionalization of CO2 are discussed as well.