ABSTRACT The physical and chemical behavior of CO 2 is key to understanding the ubiquity of inorganic carbon, which includes atmospheric CO 2 , dissolved CO 2 in surface waters, and precipitated and mineralized carbonate in sediments and rock formations. These complex equilibria contribute to the global carbon cycle, inspiring novel CO 2 applications. Because water is crucial in these equilibria, a comprehensive overview of CO 2 reactivity in aqueous systems can help us to design and enhance the efficiencies of various artificial CO 2 ‐mediated processes. Here, we discuss the role of CO 2 in responsive processes in, on, and with water, ranging from catalysis and organic synthesis to materials, surfactants, and carbon capture methods. These concepts are necessary for developing innovative smart materials, drug delivery systems, stimuli‐controlled catalysis, novel environmental remediation processes, and new CO 2 capture materials. We rationalize these recent examples in terms of mod of action of CO 2 to recapitulate this rapidly developing field.
Kustiana et al. (2026) studied this question.