Metal-organic frameworks as heterogeneous catalysts for the chemical conversion of carbon dioxide

The affable nature of gaseous CO2 like easyness to handle, inert in character, no inflammable nature, generally non-toxic and widely available in the environment, is attractive as a C1 chemical source. On the other hand, the concentration of CO2 level in the atmosphere is reaching an alarming stage causing global warming associated with numerous natural calamities. Therefore, fixation of CO2 to the value-added chemicals will be “killing of two birds with one stone” i.e., the atmospheric CO2 level can be reduced while concomitantly producing essential chemicals. However, CO2 being a symmetric molecule with low reactivity, its chemical fixation posed a challenge that led to the development of various heterogeneous catalysts. In this respect, few metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown excellent catalytic activity. This review discusses recent advances made by MOFs as well as MOF-conjugates as heterogeneous catalysts for the chemical fixation of CO2.