Tetra-Coordinated Boron-Functionalized Phenanthroimidazole-Based Zinc Salen as a Photocatalyst for the Cycloaddition of CO 2 and Epoxides.

A unique B-N coordinated phenanthroimidazole-based zinc salen was synthesized. The zinc salen thus synthesized acts as a photocatalyst for the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide with terminal epoxides under ambient conditions. DFT study of the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide with terminal epoxide indicates the preference of the reaction pathway when photocatalyzed by zinc salen. We anticipate that this strategy will help to design new photocatalysts for CO 2 fixation.