One- and two-electron pathways in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 by fac-Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine)

Abstract

The cyclic voltammetry of fac-Re(bpy)(CO)₃Cl (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and of the intermediate complexes formed by bulk electrolysis in MeCN solution in the presence and absence of CO₂ has been interpreted in terms of two different electrocatalytic pathways for the reduction of CO₂ to Co, one involving an initial one-electron reduction and the other an initial two-electron reduction.