Possibilities on the radiation-induced incorporation of CO2 and CO into organic compounds

Carbon dioxide is the major combustion product of fossil fuels; it has a strong environmental influence and is blamed for the greenhouse effect and all consequences resulting from it. It has been shown that aqueous CO2 as well as CO can be converted into simple organic substances or incorporated in such under the influence of ionizing radiation or u.v.-light. This paper deals with utilization possibilities of CO2 and CO as raw materials for chemical synthesis. Some previously reported data on model substances will be reviewed and new results presented. (author)