Carbon dioxide coordination chemistry: metal complexes and surface-bound species. What relationships?

Syntheses, studies of bonding and structures of carbon dioxide complexes have been well-developed in recent years as has the synthesis; and characterization of metal formate complexes because of their perceived relationships to intermediates in the catalytic activation of carbon dioxide. Vibrational spectroscopy, usually infrared spectroscopy, has played a key role in the development of this chemistry. Surface scientists studying the reactions of CO2 and its reduction by hydrogen are now able to use powerful techniques for acquiring vibrational data in the infrared region which help,to identify surface-bound species. As more results emerge from these groups, it is apparent that there are many similarities in the spectral properties and reactions of the coordination compounds of CO2 and their surface- bound analogs. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.