Electrochemical and mechanistic studies of Re(CO) 3(dmbpy)CI] and their relation to the catalytic reduction of CO 2

Abstract

Electrochemical and mechanistic studies of the title compound in acetonitrile have been performed. The complex can undergo a reversible one-electron reduction to the radical anion as well as a further irreversible reduction to the dianion. The former can dimerize to give a presumed metal/metal bonded dimmer and the later undergoes rapid loss of chloride and incorporation of acetonitrile. The dimmer can undergo reversible one-electron oxidation and reduction, as well as additional irreversible oxidation and reduction reactions. The results seems to indicate that the reported catalytic activity of this and related materials for the reduction of carbon dioxide involves a sesqui-coordinated bipyridine intermediate.