Recent Advances in the Fixation of CO2 to Form N-Containing Heterocyclic Compounds.

N-containing heterocyclic compounds are common chemical structures in drugs, bioactive compounds, and natural products. Using CO2 as a C1 source for synthesizing N-containing heterocyclic compounds aligns with the concepts of green chemistry and sustainability. In recent years, the synthesis of N-containing heterocyclic compounds has been extensively and intensively studied. However, significant challenges remain, such as thermodynamic limitations, low catalytic efficiency, and harsh reaction conditions. Catalysts play an essential role in the catalytic activation of CO2 and/or substrates, thereby facilitating CO2 conversion. This review provides an overview of several typical N-containing heterocyclic compounds converted from CO2, such as oxazolidinones, quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones, benzimidazoles, and benzimidazolones. The most recent catalysts used in these reactions are discussed, emphasizing their mechanistic roles in the reaction process.