A binary catalyst system of a cationic Ru–CNC pincer complex with an alkali metal salt for selective hydroboration of carbon dioxide

Binary catalyst systems comprising a cationic Ru-CNC pincer complex and an alkali metal salt were developed for selective hydro-boration of CO2 utilizing pinacolborane at r.t. and 1 atm CO2, with the combination of [Ru(CNCBn)(CO)(2)(H)][PF6] and (KOCO2Bu)-Bu-t producing formoxyborane in 76% yield. A bicyclic catalytic mechanism was proposed and discussed