The incorporation of CO₂ into substrates containing alcohol or amine functional groups displays interesting substrate-controlled reactivity, both in terms of providing milder reaction conditions and the potential towards new reactivity modes. Various heterocyclic structures can be prepared using this substrate-driven approach starting from functional derivatives of (homo)allylic and propargylic alcohols/amines, epoxy alcohols, and hydroxy-oxetanes among others. This review summarizes the recent advances made in this area.