Transition metal promoted carboxylation of unsaturated substrates with carbon dioxide

The use of CO₂ as a C1 building block for the synthesis of useful chemicals is of great significance, and has attracted increasing attention in recent years. The transition metal catalyzed or mediated addition of CO₂ to unsaturated chemical bonds has proved to be a powerful and versatile protocol for the incorporation of CO₂ into various unsaturated organic substrates such as alkynes, alkenes, allenes, aldehydes, and 1,3-dienes. The hydrogenative, alkylative and arylative carboxylation, heterocarboxylation, and carboxylative cyclization with CO₂ have led to efficient and selective formation of various functionalized carboxylic acids and derivatives. This review focuses on recent advances in this area with emphasis on conceptual reaction design.