Electrocatalytic and photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide using the alkynyl-substituted rhenium(I) complex (5,5′-bisphenylethynyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)Re(CO)3Cl

The rhenium complex fac-(5,5′-bisphenylethynyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)Re(CO)3Cl was used as a novel catalyst for the electro- and photochemical reduction of CO2 to CO in homogeneous solution. The results were compared to (2,2′-bipyridyl)Re(CO)3Cl as a benchmark compound. Cyclic voltammetric studies as well as bulk controlled potential electrolysis experiments were performed using a CO2 saturated solution in acetonitrile. (5,5′-bisphenylethynyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)Re(CO)3Cl showed a 6.5-fold increase in current density under CO2 at −1750 mV versus normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) as compared to the operation without CO2. Quantitative analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectroscopy showed a Faradaic efficiency of around 45% for the formation of CO.