Silicone Wastes as Reducing Agents for Carbon Dioxide Transformation: Fluoride-catalyzed Formic Acid Synthesis from CO2, H2O, and Disilanes

Disilanes were found to be reactive reducing agents for the transformation of carbon dioxide to formic acid in the presence of H2O. The reaction is catalyzed by fluoride salts such as tetrabutylammonium fluoride. Isotopic experiments revealed that the proposed reaction pathway includes Si–Si bond cleavage to afford hydrosilane followed by the hydrosilylation of CO2, and, finally, the hydrolysis of silyl formate.