A general electrochemical CO2 fixation to aromatic carboxylic acids via the CO2·− intermediate using a non-transition metal electrode

CO₂ fixation is important for reducing the greenhouse effect and improving clean energy use. While recent studies focus on converting CO₂ to liquid fuels, direct fixation into high-value compounds like aromatic carboxylic acids provides an alternative path. Herein, we report a general electrochemical CO₂ fixation to aromatic carboxylic acids via the CO₂^·− intermediate using a non-transition metal graphite electrode. Different from the conventional aromatic radical mechanism, in this report, CO₂ will gain electrons on the graphite electrode to generate CO₂^·−, which will further attack aromatic halides to obtain the desired aromatic carboxylic acid via an aromatic nucleophilic substitution mechanism. As CO₂^·− acts as the general intermediate, various aromatic compounds can be carbonylated without the need for a specific catalytic design to activate the aromatic halides. Furthermore, benefit from the CO₂^·− nucleophile, only the ipso-products can be obtained compared with the conventional approaches. This method offers a flexible way to convert the greenhouse gas CO₂ into valuable aromatic carboxylic acids, which have applications in pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry and polymer chemistry. Therefore, it holds the potential for furthering the objectives of carbon neutrality and green chemistry.