Recent advances in carbon dioxide hydrogenation to produce olefins and aromatics

The catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 with renewable H2 is considered as one of the most practical approaches for the reduction of CO2 and the synthesis of valuable chemicals and fuels. Among the value-added products, olefins and aromatics are highly attractive as essential industrial feedstocks. CO2 hydrogenation to olefins and aromatics mainly undergoes a CO2-modified Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (CO2-FTS) route or a methanol-mediated (MeOH) route, but is often limited by low selectivity and catalyst deactivation. In this review, we first overview the reaction mechanisms and key intermediates along the CO2-FTS and MeOH routes. For each route, we summarize the recent progress toward the catalyst development as well as the optimization of reaction conditions. We conclude the review by identifying challenges and opportunities with an emphasis on approaches for exceeding the product distribution limit, suppressing the catalyst deactivation, and improving the feasibility of low-pressure operation by continuous consumption of key intermediates.