Selective Reductive Dimerization of CO 2 into Glycolaldehyde

International audienceThe selective dimerization of CO2 into glycolaldehyde is achieved in a one-pot two-step process via formaldehyde as a key intermediate. The first step concerns the iron-catalyzed selective reduction of CO2 into formaldehyde via formation and controlled hydrolysis of a bis(boryl)acetal compound. The second step concerns the carbene-catalyzed C–C bond formation to afford glycolaldehyde. Both carbon atoms of glycolaldehyde arise from CO2 as proven by the labeling experiment with 13CO2. This hybrid organometallic/organic catalytic system employs mild conditions (1 atm of CO2, 25 to 80 °C in less than 3 h) and low catalytic loadings (1 and 2.5%, respectively). Glycolaldehyde is obtained in 53% overall yield. The appealing reactivity of glycolaldehyde is exemplified (i) in a dimerization process leading to C4 aldose compounds and (ii) in a tri-component Petasis–Borono–Mannich reaction generating C–N and C–C bonds in one process