Isolating elusive 'Al(μ-O)M' intermediates in CO2 reduction by bimetallic Al–M complexes (M = Zn, Mg).

The reaction of compounds containing Al–Mg and Al–Zn bonds with N2O enabled isolation of the corresponding Al(μ-O)M complexes. Electronic structure analysis identified largely ionic Al–O and O–M bonds, featuring an anionic μ-oxo centre. Reaction with CO2 confirmed that these species correspond to the proposed intermediates in the formation of μ-carbonate compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]