What It Takes for Imidazolium Cations to Promote Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂.

ABSTRACT: Imidazolium cations enhance the performance of several electrodes in converting CO₂ to CO in non-aqueous media. In this publication, we elucidate the origin of the function of imidazolium cations when exposed to Au electrodes in anhydrous acetonitrile in CO₂ atmosphere. We demonstrate that imidazolium cations lead to unprecedentedly low overpotentials for CO₂ reduction to CO on Au, with ∼100% Faradaic efficiency. By modification of the N₁ and N₃ functionality of the imidazolium cation, we show a direct correlation between the performance in CO₂ reduction and the C₂-H acidity of the cation. Based on NMR analyses, DFT calculations, and isotopic labeling, showing an inverse kinetic isotope effect, we demonstrate that

SUBMITTER: Neyrizi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9578038 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature