Catalytic Incorporation of CO₂ into Organic Molecules

Carbon dioxide is one of the most abundant and inexpensive carbon sources available, rendering it attractive as a feedstock chemical. Despite this potential, however, efficient chemical reactions that incorporate this simple molecule into organic compounds are rather limited. Professor Kevin Brown and his group have initiated a program of research focused on inventing novel reactions and catalysts that will facilitate the introduction of CO₂ into organic frameworks. These studies will ultimately render fine chemicals cheaper and introduce novel chemical reactions that will facilitate the synthesis of new biologically important molecules.