Reversing Global Warming: Chemical Recycling and Utilization of CO2, July 9-10, 2008, Los Angeles, CA

由美国国家科学基金会（NSF）化学学部主办，拟举办一次研讨会。本次研讨会将(i)探索目前正在进行的建设性利用二氧化碳的研究，（ii）确定我们目前对二氧化碳还原化学知识的空白，（iii）指出二氧化碳活化和反应性的新方向，这可能是未来研究中最有成效的。二氧化碳浓度的上升导致了全球变暖。我们能不能，而不是收集和隔离二氧化碳，有效地化学回收它，把它作为一种可再生的碳源，从而减轻它对全球变暖的影响？为了应对温室气体带来的全球变暖挑战，化学科学家必须更好地了解二氧化碳的化学性质、反应性及其潜在用途。二氧化碳是一种高度稳定的分子——它不可燃，也无毒。二氧化碳的热力学稳定性使得它的活化能密集且具有挑战性。我们能否重新利用二氧化碳作为化学构件，并有可能通过合成运输燃料进行循环利用？在研讨会上，预计将有关于二氧化碳的化学、电化学、光化学和热化学转化的分组和讨论会议。对与二氧化碳活化有关的化学问题有更牢固的了解基础，将能够并促进二氧化碳的建设性利用，并有助于将其转化为增值产品。二氧化碳是一种宝贵的碳源，大自然通过光合作用将其循环利用。然而，完全依赖自然生产生物燃料正变得越来越站不住脚，也越来越不切实际。拟议的讲习班的更广泛影响是鼓励开展基础研究，以减少不断增加的大气二氧化碳水平，并减缓全球变暖。特别是，即将到来的一代化学家需要对在二氧化碳研究的这个关键领域等待他们的重要挑战保持敏感。这些新的研究领域将转化为一个新的学校的学生和同事。对NSF感兴趣的新的基础科学领域的广泛而持久的思想刺激可能会受到刺激。这些基础科学工作全部或部分纳入现有和未来的资助研究，将导致科学进步的骨干发展，对实现温室气体控制技术至关重要。这些新的研究领域将被转化为一个新的学校的学生和同事，在未来的几十年里进行这样的研究。

A workshop will be held proposed under the sponsorship of the Chemistry Division (CHE) of the National Science Foundation (NSF). This workshop will (i) explore the research that is presently being carried out to constructively utilize carbon dioxide, (ii) identify the gaps in our present knowledge about the reductive chemistry of CO2, and (iii) indicate new directions in CO2 activation and reactivity that might be most productive for futureResearch.The rise of carbon dioxide levels has contributed to global warming. Can we, instead of collecting and sequestering CO2, effectively chemically recycle it and use it as a renewable carbon source and thereby mitigating its effect on global warming? To address the global warming challenges that greenhouse gases present, chemical scientists must better understand the chemistry of CO2, its reactivity, and its potential uses. Carbon dioxide is a highly stable molecule - it isn't combustible and is nontoxic. The very thermodynamic stability of the CO2 makes its activation energy intensive and challenging. Can we reuse carbon dioxide as a chemical building block and potentially recycle it through synthetic transportation fuels? In the workshop, breakout and discussions sessions are anticipated on the chemical, electrochemical, photochemical and thermochemical conversion of CO2.A stronger basis of understanding of the chemical issues related to carbon dioxide activation will enable and facilitate the constructive use of carbon dioxide, and contribute to its conversion to value-added products. Carbon dioxide is a valuable carbon source and nature recycles it through photosynthesis. However, total reliance on nature to produce biofuels is increasingly becoming untenable and not practical. The broader impact of the proposed workshop is to encourage basic research towards a reduction of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and towards the mitigation of global warming. In particular, the upcoming generation of broad diversity of chemists needs to be sensitized to the important challenges awaiting them in this critical area of CO2 research. These new areas of research will be translated to a new school of students and coworkers. A broad long-lasting stimulation of thought in new basic science thrusts of interest to NSF may be stimulated. Such basic science work incorporated wholly or in part in existing and future sponsored research will lead to the development of a backbone of scientific progress critical to the realization of greenhouse gas control technologies. These new areas of research will be translated to a new school of students and coworkers to carry such research forward in future decades.