Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methanol. Part 5. Relationship between the ability of metal complexes to engage in homogeneous catalysis and their co-ordination chemistry

Abstract

Carbon dioxide has been reduced to methanol at a mediated electrode in the presence of a metal complex and a primary alcohol. It has been shown that the ability of the metal complex to engage in the homogeneous catalysis is closely related to its co-ordination chemistry in aqueous solution. The ability of the most highly co-ordinated complex was very low, and unstable as well, as aqua complexes had no catalytic activity. The highest activity was observed with the 1 : 1 form of a metal–bidentate ligand complex. The active site for the reduction reaction of CO₂ was suggested to be a vacancy in the co-ordination shell.