Structural investigations into the deactivation pathway of the CO2 reduction electrocatalyst Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl

Abstract

We report a series of complexes synthesized from the chemical reduction of the fac-tricarbonyl complex Re(bpy)(CO)₃Cl. Synthesis and characterization of [Re(bpy)(CO)₃]₂, [Re(bpy)(CO)₃]₂⁻, and Re(bpy)(CO)₃⁻ are presented. The Re(bpy)(CO)₃⁻ anion has long been postulated as the active species that reacts with carbon dioxide in the electrochemical reduction of CO₂.