EXPLORING TETRACARBONYL CHROMIUM COMPLEXES WITH BIPYRIDINE DERIVATIVES AS POTENTIAL ELECTROCATALYSTS FOR CO2 REDUCTION

Abstract

Finding new catalysts for CO\(_{2}\) reduction is a growing field of interest. Previous research has shown that Group 6 metals might be a good source for producing these catalysts. One such potential catalyst that has previously gone uninvestigated is 2,2’- bipyridine tetracarbonyl chromium. In this study, this complex is investigated using cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis to assess the possibility of acting as catalyst for the reduction of CO\(_{2}\). The complex exhibits two reduction peaks at negative potential,one reversible at approximately -1.7V vs. SCE and one irreversible at approximately -2.1V vs. SCE Despite showing current enhancements under CO\(_{2}\) in the CV data, electrolysis results showed poor production of CO\(_{2}\) reduction products, namely CO. An electrolysis run with labeled CO\(_{2}\) showed that in fact, the complex was not catalytically reducing CO\(_{2}\). Briefly, a few improvements to the system are considered, such as modifications to the bipyridine ligand and alternative ways of making up the solvent; however, these improvements are still a work in progress.