CO₂ shuttling in organic synthesis

Carboxylic acids or their derivatives are pivotal in organic synthesis and decarboxylative coupling reactions because of their ready availability and diverse reaction activities. Beyond their significance in synthetic applications, strategies to recapture CO₂ from decarboxylation of carboxylic acids have promoted the development of CO₂ shuttling, where CO₂ is transferred from a carboxylic acid or its derivative to an acceptor molecule. This CO₂ shuttling paradigm enabled efficient CO₂ utilization without requiring excess CO₂ gas or high-pressure conditions, representing a promising method for functional group interconversion and isotope labeling in organic chemistry. Herein, we highlight the recently emerging attempts towards CO₂ shuttling wherein carboxylic acids and their derivatives (R₁CO₂R₂, R₁ ≠ H) function as potential CO₂ donors, including carbonates, α-amino acids, and organic carboxylates. Additionally, some comments on the present research status and perspectives of this CO₂ shuttling strategy are also under demonstration.