Mechanochemical vs Wet Approach for Directing CO(2) Capture toward Various Carbonate and Bicarbonate Networks

[Image: see text] The distinct research areas related to CO(2) capture and mechanochemistry are both highly attractive in the context of green chemistry. However, merger of these two areas, i.e., mechanochemical CO(2) capture, is still in an early stage of development. Here, the application of biguanidine as an active species for CO(2) capture is investigated using both solution-based and liquid-assisted mechanochemical approaches, which lead to a variety of biguanidinium carbonate and bicarbonate hydrogen-bonded networks. We demonstrate that in solution, the formation of the carbonate vs bicarbonate networks can be directed by the organic solvent, while, remarkably, in the liquid-assisted mechanochemical synthesis employing the same solvents as additives, the selectivity in network formation is inversed. In general, our findings support the view of mechanochemistry not only as a sustainable alternative but rather as a complementary strategy to solution-based synthesis.