Photoinduced irreversible insertion of CO2 into a metal–hydride bond

Abstract

The reactive organometallic trifluoromethanesulphonato (CF₃SO₃^–) complex fac-Re(bpy)(CO)₃CF₃SO₃(bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) has neen used as a basis for the synthesis of the series of complexes fac-Re(bpy)(CO)₃X (X = H, O₂CH, and O₂COH) all of which are involved in the reduction of CO₂; the hydrido complex has been found to undergo a slow thermal reaction with CO₂ to give the formato complex, a reaction which is greatly enhanced by visible light.