Hydrogenation of organic carbonates and formate derivatives to formaldehyde under one atmosphere of H2 by an unsymmetrical phosphorus-nitrogen PN3P-pincer Mn complex

A well-defined unsymmetrical phosphorus-nitrogen PN 3 P Mn(I) complex catalyzed hydrogenation of organic carbonates and formate derivatives with 1atm of H 2 was developed, which could be applied in the hydrogenative depolymerization of polycarbonate into formaldehyde with the same pressure requirement as well. This catalytic system provides an alternative indirect strategy for CO 2 reduction. One unsymmetrical phosphorus-nitrogen PN 3 PMn(I) complex has been established as an effective catalyst to facilitate the hydrogenation of organic carbonates and formate derivatives under 1 atm of H 2 , providing an alternative indirect strategy for CO 2 reduction. Notably, the product could be kept at the formaldehyde level, different from the reported catalytic systems. Furthermore, this system could be applied in the hydrogenative depolymerization of polycarbonate into formaldehyde.