Organocatalytic Strategy for the Fixation of CO2 via Carboxylation of Terminal Alkynes

An organocatalytic strategy for the direct carboxylation of terminal alkynes with CO2 has been developed. The combined use of a bifunctional organocatalyst and Cs2CO3 resulted in a robust catalytic system for the preparation of a range of propiolic acid derivatives in high yields with broad substrate scope using CO2 at atmospheric pressure under mild temperatures (60 °C). This work has demonstrated that this organocatalytic method offers a competitive alternative to metal catalysis for the carboxylation of terminal alkynes and CO2. In addition, this protocol was suitable for the three-component carboxylation of terminal alkynes, alkyl halides, and CO2.