Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO by polypyridyl ruthenium complexes

Abstract
Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 by [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(solvent)]2+ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and its structural analogs is initiated by sequential 1ereductions at the tpy and bpy ligands followed by rate limiting CO2 addition to give a metallocarboxylate intermediate. It undergoes further reduction and loss of CO.