Summary: | Iridium(NHC)-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation (TH) of CO<sub>2</sub> and inorganic carbonates with glycerol were conducted, demonstrating excellent turnover numbers (TONs) and turnover frequencies (TOFs) for the formation of formate and lactate. Regardless of carbon sources, excellent TOFs of formate were observed (CO<sub>2</sub>: 10,000 h<sup>−1</sup> and K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>: 10,150 h<sup>−1</sup>). Iridium catalysts modified with the triscarbene ligand showed excellent catalytic activity at 200 °C and are a suitable choice for this transformation which requires a high temperature for high TONs of formate. On the basis of the control experiments, the transfer hydrogenation mechanism of CO<sub>2</sub> was proposed.
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