Carbon Dioxide to Methanol: The Aqueous Catalytic Way at Room Temperature

An iridium complex was successfully employed in the direct, homogeneous transformation of carbon dioxide to formic acid and methanol, via formic acid disproportionation, in aqueous solution and at ambient temperatures. Unprecedented methanol selectivities of 96% were obtained for complete formic acid conversion in the presence of sulfuric acid under optimized conditions. The reactions reported herein might be beneficial in the fields of CO2 valorization, sustainable H2storage and alternative formic acid/methanol production.