4‐Aminopyridines as Versatile “Noninterfering” Allies for CO₂ Fixation

Organic superbases are a family of compounds endowed with high nucleophilicity and basicity. Several powerful nucleophiles such as DBU (1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene), TBD (1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene), or DMAP (4‐dimethylaminopyridine) are involved in CO 2 conversion but their catalytic roles may differ from a mechanistic standpoint. In this work, we show the versatile application of 4‐aminopyridines in CO 2 fixation leading to products of CO 2 reduction as well as cyclic carbonates and fine chemicals. In such cases, 4‐aminopyridines serve not just as organocatalysts, but as recurring motifs performing as bases, structural components, ligands for electronic modulation of metals and full‐fledged catalytic components. Such roles are highlighted herein with an eye to the understanding of mechanistic aspects and the interaction between 4‐aminopyridines and CO 2 through the discussion of several catalytic studies.