Multicomponent Reactions Involving Carbon Dioxide (CO ₂ ) and Isocyanides

The employment of the copious and renewable carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as a C1 synthon in multicomponent reactions represents a revolutionary strategy for promoting sustainable synthesis and the valorization of carbon resources. This review comprehensively scrutinizes recent advancements in CO 2 ‐involved multicomponent reactions with isocyanides, primarily focusing on two innovative methodologies: first, the strategic in situ generation of reactive carbonate intermediates from CO 2 in Ugi and Passerini reactions, which facilitates the efficient assembly of nitrogen‐containing fine chemicals. Second, the transition‐metal‐catalyzed direct incorporation of CO 2 into isocyanides, enabling subsequent cyclization with o ‐haloanilines, alkynes, and other components to obtain privileged heterocyclic structures—such as quinazolinediones and phthalimides—and functional polymeric materials. These developments not only lay the fundamental mechanistic groundwork for CO 2 participation in amphiphilic reaction systems but also highlight its significant potential for the design of novel pharmacologically active agents and advanced functional materials.