Reversible CO 2 Addition to a Si=O Bond and Synthesis of a Persistent SiO 2 -CO 2 Cycloadduct Stabilized by a Lewis Donor-Acceptor Ligand.

The donor-stabilized sila-β-lactone 1 reacts with CO2 via a remarkable reversible [2+2]-cycloaddition reaction to form the spiro-cyclic silicon carbonate derivative 2. Furthermore, photolysis of 2 under pressure of CO2 affords the first persistent SiO2 -CO2 cycloadduct 3, presenting a Si2 O4 -like structure, which is stabilized by a Lewis donor-acceptor type ligand. As predicted by theoretical calculations, in marked contrast to the thermodynamically stable SiO2 dimer, the SiO2 -CO2 mixed cycloadduct 3 is labile and readily releases CO2 .