A Binuclear Cobalt Complex for Molecular CO2 Electrocatalysis

A pyrazole–based ligand substituted with terpyridine groups at the 3 and 5positions has been synthesized to form the dinuclear cobalt complex 1, that electrocatalytically reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) in the presence of Brønsted acids in DMF. Chemical, electrochemical and UV–vis spectro–electrochemical studies under inert atmosphere indicate a single 2 electron reduction process of complex 1 at first, followed by a 1 electron reduction at the ligand. Infrared spectro–electrochemical studies under CO2 and CO atmosphere allowed us to identify a reduced CO–containing dicobalt complex which results from the electroreduction of CO2. In the presence of trifluoroethanol (TFE), electrocatalytic studies revealed single–site mechanism with up to 94 % selectivity towards CO formation when 1.47 M TFE were present, at –1.35 V vs Saturated Calomel Electrode in DMF (0.39 V overpotential). The low faradaic efficiencies obtained (<50%) are attributed to the generation of CO–containing species formed during the electrocatalytic process, which inhibit the reduction of CO2.