Lewis-Pair-Mediated Selective Dimerization and Polymerization of Lignocellulose-Based β-Angelica Lactone into Biofuel and Acrylic Bioplastic

This contribution reports an unprecedentedly efficient dimerization and the first successful polymerization of lignocellulose-based β-angelica lactone (β-AL) by utilizing a selective Lewis pair (LP) catalytic system, thereby establishing a versatile bio-refinery platform wherein two products, including a dimer for high-quality gasoline-like biofuel (C₈–C₉ branched alkanes, yield=87 %) and a heat- and solvent-resistant acrylic bioplastic (M_n up to 26.0 kg mol⁻¹), can be synthesized from one feedstock by one catalytic system. The underlying reason for exquisite selectivity of the LP catalytic system toward dimerization and polymerization was explored mechanistically.     

Hydrogenation of CO2 to Formate with H2: Transition Metal Free Catalyst Based on a Lewis Pair

Hydrogenation of CO₂ to formate with H₂ in the absence of transition metal is a long‐standing challenge in catalysis. The reactions between tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) and K₂CO₃ (or KHCO₃) are found to form a Lewis pair (K₂[(BCF)₂?CO₃]) which can react with both H₂ and CO₂ to produce formate. Based on these stoichiometric reactions, the first catalytic hydrogenation process of CO₂ to formate using transition metal free catalyst (BCF/M₂CO₃, M=Na, K, and Cs) is reported. The highest TON value of this catalytic process is up to 3941. Further research revealed the reaction mechanism in which the Lewis pair enables the splitting of H₂ and the insertion of CO₂ into the B?H bond.