A perspective on the reaction mechanisms of CO2 electrolysis

In this work we analyze the current state of CO2 electrolysis and give our best analysis of what we believe is the most dominant mechanism for all predominant products in CO2 electrolysis. We draw on both computational and experimental literature to develop conclusions for C1 and C2 products. From this, we develop a set of self-consistent mechanistic rules. As the volume of literature on the mechanism towards C3 products is substantially smaller than on C1 and C2 products, these rules help us in evaluating mechanistic routes towards C3 products. While these mechanistic routes are speculative, it does give us a point of reference that can be modified in the future based on further developments in the field.