Reversible hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid using a Mn-pincer complex in the presence of lysine

Abstract Efficient hydrogen storage and release are essential for effective use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. In principle, formic acid could be used as a convenient hydrogen storage medium via reversible CO 2 hydrogenation. However, noble metal-based catalysts are currently needed to facilitate the (de)hydrogenation, and the CO 2 produced during hydrogen release is generally released, resulting in undesirable emissions. Here we report an α -amino acid-promoted system for reversible CO 2 hydrogenation to formic acid using a Mn-pincer complex as a homogeneous catalyst. We observe good stability and reusability of the catalyst and lysine as the amino acid at high productivities (CO 2 hydrogenation: total…