Splitting CO2 into CO and O2 by a single catalyst

Abstract

The metal complex [(tpy)(Mebim-py)RuII(S)]2+ (tpy = 2,2? : 6?,2??-terpyridine; Mebim-py = 3-methyl-1-pyridylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene; S = solvent) is a robust, reactive electrocatalyst toward both water oxidation to oxygen and carbon dioxide reduction to carbon monoxide. Here we describe its use as a single electrocatalyst for CO2 splitting, CO2 ? CO + 1/2 O2, in a two-compartment electrochemical cell.