Abstract : The one-step conversion of CO$_2$ to hetero-aromatic esters is presented under metal-free conditions. Using fluoride anions as promoters for C-Si bond activation, pyridyl, furanyl and thiophenyl organosilanes are successfully carboxylated with CO$_2$, in the presence of an electrophile. The mechanism of this unprecedented reaction has been elucidated based on experimental and computational results, which show a unique catalytic influence of CO$_2$ in the C-Si bond activation of pyridylsilanes. The methodology is applied to 18 different esters and it has enabled the incorporation of CO$_2$ to a polyester material, for the first time.
