A copper-catalyzed formic acid synthesis from CO2 with hydrosilanes has been accomplished. The Cu(OAc)2·H2O-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene system is highly effective for the formic acid synthesis under 1 atm of CO2. The TON value approached 8100 in 6 h. The reaction pathway was revealed by in situ NMR analysis and isotopic experiments.

Copper diphosphine complexes have been found to be highly active and selective homogeneous catalysts for the hydrosilylation of CO2. The structure of the phosphine ligands strongly affects their catalytic activity. Turnover number (TON) reaches 70,000 after 24 hours with 1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)benzene as a ligand under 1 atmosphere of CO2. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra, carried out under the reaction conditions, showed the reaction mechanism through insertion of CO2 into Cu-H to afford Cu/formate species.

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