Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO by polypyridyl ruthenium complexes

Abstract

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO(2) by [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(solvent)](2+) (tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and its structural analogs is initiated by sequential 1e(-) reductions at the tpy and bpy ligands followed by rate limiting CO(2) addition to give a metallocarboxylate intermediate. It undergoes further reduction and loss of CO.