Catalytic Reduction of CN−, CO,and CO2 by Nitrogenase Cofactors in Lanthanide‐Driven Reactions

Nitrogenase cofactors can be extracted into an organic solvent to catalyze the reduction of cyanide (CN^?), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) without using adenosine triphosphate (ATP), when samarium(II) iodide (SmI₂) and 2,6‐lutidinium triflate (Lut‐H) are employed as a reductant and a proton source, respectively. Driven by SmI₂, the cofactors catalytically reduce CN^? or CO to C₁–C₄ hydrocarbons, and CO₂ to CO and C₁–C₃ hydrocarbons. The C? C coupling from CO₂ indicates a unique Fischer–Tropsch‐like reaction with an atypical carbonaceous substrate, whereas the catalytic turnover of CN^?, CO, and CO₂ by isolated cofactors suggests the possibility to develop nitrogenase‐based electrocatalysts for the production of hydrocarbons from these carbon‐containing compounds.     

Solar Hydrocarbons: Single-Step,Atmospheric-Pressure Synthesis of C2−C4 Alkanes and Alkenes from CO2

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) spinel has been found to produce C₂−C₄ hydrocarbons in a single-step, ambient-pressure, photocatalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ with a rate of 1.1 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, selectivity of 29.8 % and conversion yield of 12.9 %. On stream the CoFe₂O₄ reconstructs to a CoFe−CoFe₂O₄ alloy-spinel nanocomposite which facilitates the light-assisted transformation of CO₂ to CO and hydrogenation of the CO to C₂−C₄ hydrocarbons. Promising results obtained from a laboratory demonstrator bode well for the development of a solar hydrocarbon pilot refinery.     

Cyanide Binding to [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Stabilizes the Alternative Configuration of the Proton Transfer Pathway

Hydrogenases are H₂ converting enzymes that harbor catalytic cofactors in which iron (Fe) ions are coordinated by biologically unusual carbon monoxide (CO) and cyanide (CN⁻) ligands. Extrinsic CO and CN⁻, however, inhibit hydrogenases. The mechanism by which CN⁻ binds to [FeFe]-hydrogenases is not known. Here, we obtained crystal structures of the CN⁻-treated [FeFe]-hydrogenase CpI from Clostridium pasteurianum. The high resolution of 1.39 Å allowed us to distinguish intrinsic CN⁻ and CO ligands and to show that extrinsic CN⁻ binds to the open coordination site of the cofactor where CO is known to bind. In contrast to other inhibitors, CN⁻ treated crystals show conformational changes of conserved residues within the proton transfer pathway which could allow a direct proton transfer between E279 and S319. This configuration has been proposed to be vital for efficient proton transfer, but has never been observed structurally.     

Molecular Nickel Thiolate Complexes for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to C1–3 Hydrocarbons

We report the unprecedented electrocatalytic activity of a series of molecular nickel thiolate complexes ( 1 – 5 ) in reducing CO₂ to C_1–3 hydrocarbons on carbon paper in pH-neutral aqueous solutions. Ni(mpo)₂ ( 3 , mpo=2-mercaptopyridyl-N-oxide), Ni(pyS)₃⁻ ( 4 , pyS=2-mercaptopyridine), and Ni(mp)₂⁻ ( 5 , mp=2-mercaptophenolate) were found to generate C₃ products from CO₂ for the first time in molecular complex. Compound 5 exhibits Faradaic efficiencies (FEs) of 10.6 %, 7.2 %, 8.2 % for C₁, C₂, C₃ hydrocarbons respectively at −1.0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode. Addition of CO to the system significantly promotes the FE_C1–C3 to 41.1 %, suggesting that a key Ni−CO intermediate is associated with catalysis. A variety of spectroscopies have been performed to show that the structures of nickel complexes remain intact during CO₂ reduction.     

Wurtzite CuGaS2 with an In-Situ-Formed CuO Layer Photocatalyzes CO2 Conversion to Ethylene with High Selectivity

We present surface reconstruction-induced C−C coupling whereby CO₂ is converted into ethylene. The wurtzite phase of CuGaS_2. undergoes in situ surface reconstruction, leading to the formation of a thin CuO layer over the pristine catalyst, which facilitates selective conversion of CO₂ to ethylene (C₂H₄). Upon illumination, the catalyst efficiently converts CO₂ to C₂H₄ with 75.1 % selectivity (92.7 % selectivity in terms of R_electron) and a 20.6 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ evolution rate. Subsequent spectroscopic and microscopic studies supported by theoretical analysis revealed operando-generated Cu²⁺, with the assistance of existing Cu⁺, functioning as an anchor for the generated *CO and thereby facilitating C−C coupling. This study demonstrates strain-induced in situ surface reconstruction leading to heterojunction formation, which finetunes the oxidation state of Cu and modulates the CO₂ reduction reaction pathway to selective formation of ethylene.     

Diminished electron density in the Vaska‐type rhodium(I) complex trans‐[Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(PPh3)2]

Vaska‐type complexes, i.e. trans‐[RhX(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (X is a halogen or pseudohalogen), undergo a range of reactions and exhibit considerable catalytic activity. The electron density on the Rh^I atom in these complexes plays an important role in their reactivity. Many cyanotrihydridoborate (BH₃CN⁻) complexes of Group 6–8 transition metals have been synthesized and structurally characterized, an exception being the rhodium(I) complex. Carbonyl(cyanotrihydridoborato‐κN)bis(triphenylphosphine‐κP)rhodium(I), [Rh(NCBH₃)(CO)(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], was prepared by the metathesis reaction of sodium cyanotrihydridoborate with trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂], and was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray diffraction data indicate that the cyanotrihydridoborate ligand coordinates to the Rh^I atom through the N atom in a trans position with respect to the carbonyl ligand; this was also confirmed by the IR and NMR data. The carbonyl stretching frequency ν(CO) and the carbonyl carbon ¹J_C–Rh and ¹J_C–P coupling constants of the C_ipso atoms of the triphenylphosphine groups reflect the diminished electron density on the central Rh^I atom compared to the parent trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] complex.     

Experiments and Calculations on Photoionization and Dissociative Photoionization of CH2CO

The dissociative photoionization of molecular‐beam cooled CH₂CO in a region of ?10–20 eV was investigated with photoionization mass spectrometry using a synchrotron radiation as the light source. Photoionization efficiency curves of CH₂CO⁺ and of observed fragment ions CH₂⁺, CHCO⁺, HCO⁺, C₂O⁺, CO⁺, and C₂H₂⁺ were measured to determine their appearance energies. Relative branching ratios as a function of photon energy were determined. Energies for formation of these observed fragment ions and their neutral counterparts upon ionization of CH₂CO are computed with the Gaussian‐3 method. Dissociative photoionization channels associated with six observed fragment ions are proposed based on comparison of determined appearance energies and predicted energies. The principal dissociative processes are direct breaking of C=C and C‐H bonds to form CH₂⁺ + CO and CHCO⁺ + H, respectively; at greater energies, dissociation involving H migration takes place.     

Co0−Coδ+ Interface Double-Site-Mediated C−C Coupling for the Photothermal Conversion of CO2 into Light Olefins

Solar-driven CO₂ hydrogenation into multi-carbon products is a highly desirable, but challenging reaction. The bottleneck of this reaction lies in the C−C coupling of C₁ intermediates. Herein, we construct the C−C coupling centre for C₁ intermediates via the in situ formation of Co⁰−Co^δ+ interface double sites on MgAl₂O₄ (Co−CoO_x/MAO). Our experimental and theoretical prediction results confirmed the effective adsorption and activation of CO₂ by the Co⁰ site to produce C₁ intermediates, while the introduction of the electron-deficient state of Co^δ+ can effectively reduce the energy barrier of the key CHCH* intermediates. Consequently, Co−CoO_x/MAO exhibited a high C_2–4 hydrocarbons production rate of 1303 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹; the total organic carbon selectivity of C_2–4 hydrocarbons is 62.5 % under light irradiation with a high ratio (≈11) of olefin to paraffin. This study provides a new approach toward the design of photocatalysts used for CO₂ conversion into C₂₊ products.     

Breaking K+ Concentration Limit on Cu Nanoneedles for Acidic Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Multi-Carbon Products

Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to multi-carbon products (C₂₊) in acidic electrolyte is one of the most advanced routes for tackling our current climate and energy crisis. However, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the poor selectivity towards the valuable C₂₊ products are the major obstacles for the upscaling of these technologies. High local potassium ions (K⁺) concentration at the cathode's surface can inhibit proton-diffusion and accelerate the desirable carbon-carbon (C−C) coupling process. However, the solubility limit of potassium salts in bulk solution constrains the maximum achievable K⁺ concentration at the reaction sites and thus the overall acidic CO₂RR performance of most electrocatalysts. In this work, we demonstrate that Cu nanoneedles induce ultrahigh local K⁺ concentrations (4.22 M) – thus breaking the K⁺ solubility limit (3.5 M) – which enables a highly efficient CO₂RR in 3 M KCl at pH=1. As a result, a Faradaic efficiency of 90.69±2.15 % for C₂₊ (FE_C2+) can be achieved at 1400 mA.cm⁻², simultaneous with a single pass carbon efficiency (SPCE) of 25.49±0.82 % at a CO₂ flow rate of 7 sccm.     

Molecular Evidence for Metallic Cobalt Boosting CO2 Electroreduction on Pyridinic Nitrogen

Nitrogen‐doped carbon materials (N‐C_mat) are emerging as low‐cost metal‐free electrocatalysts for the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), although the activities are still unsatisfactory and the genuine active site is still under debate. We demonstrate that the CO₂RR to CO preferentially takes place on pyridinic N rather than pyrrolic N using phthalocyanine (Pc) and porphyrin with well‐defined N‐C_mat configurations as molecular model catalysts. Systematic experiments and theoretic calculations further reveal that the CO₂RR performance on pyridinic N can be significantly boosted by electronic modulation from in‐situ‐generated metallic Co nanoparticles. By introducing Co nanoparticles, Co@Pc/C can achieve a Faradaic efficiency of 84 % and CO current density of 28 mA cm^?2 at ?0.9 V, which are 18 and 47 times higher than Pc/C without Co, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the CO₂RR on N‐C_mat, which may guide the exploration of cost‐effective electrocatalysts for efficient CO₂ reduction.     

Selective Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO Mediated by Silver Single Atoms Anchored on Tubular Carbon Nitride

Artificial photosynthesis is a promising strategy for converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into fuels and value-added chemical products. However, photocatalysts usually suffered from low activity and product selectivity due to the sluggish dynamic transfer of photoexcited charge carriers. Herein, we describe anchoring of Ag single atoms on hollow porous polygonal C₃N₄ nanotubes (PCN) to form the photocatalyst Ag₁@PCN with Ag−N₃ coordination for CO₂ photoreduction using H₂O as the reductant. The as-synthesized Ag₁@PCN exhibits a high CO production rate of 0.32 μmol h⁻¹ (mass of catalyst: 2 mg), a high selectivity (>94 %), and an excellent stability in the long term. Experiments and density functional theory (DFT) reveal that the strong metal–support interactions (Ag−N₃) favor *CO₂ adsorption, *COOH generation and desorption, and accelerate dynamic transfer of photoexcited charge carriers between C₃N₄ and Ag single atoms, thereby accounting for the enhanced CO₂ photoreduction activity with a high CO selectivity. This work provides a deep insight into the important role of strong metal–support interactions in enhancing the photoactivity and CO selectivity of CO₂ photoreduction.     

Differential Reduction of CO2 by Molybdenum and Vanadium Nitrogenases

The molybdenum and vanadium nitrogenases are two homologous enzymes with distinct structural and catalytic features. Previously, it was demonstrated that the V nitrogenase was nearly 700 times more active than its Mo counterpart in reducing CO to hydrocarbons. Herein, a similar discrepancy between the two nitrogenases in the reduction of CO₂ is reported, with the V nitrogenase being capable of reducing CO₂ to CO, CD₄, C₂D₄, and C₂D₆, and its Mo counterpart only capable of reducing CO₂ to CO. Furthermore, it is shown that the V nitrogenase may direct the formation of CD₄ in part via CO₂‐derived CO, but that it does not catalyze the formation of C₂D₄ and C₂D₆ along this route. The exciting observation of a V nitrogenase‐catalyzed C? C coupling with CO₂ as the origin of the building blocks adds another interesting reaction to the catalytic repertoire of this unique enzyme system. The differential activities of the V and Mo nitrogenases in CO₂ reduction provide an important framework for systematic investigations of this reaction in the future.     

Effect of Halide Anions on the Electroreduction of CO2 to C2H4: A Density Functional Theory Study**

The halide anions present in the electrolyte improve the Faradaic efficiencies (FEs) of the multi-hydrocarbon (C₂₊) products for the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ over copper (Cu) catalysts. However, the mechanism behind the increased yield of C₂₊ products with the addition of halide anions remains indistinct. In this study, we analysed the mechanism by investigating the electronic structures and computing the relative free energies of intermediates formed from CO₂ to C₂H₄ on the Cu (100) facet based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results show that formyl *CHO from the hydrogenation reaction of the adsorbed *CO acts as the key intermediate, and the C−C coupling reaction occurs preferentially between *CHO and *CO with the formation of a *CHO-CO intermediate. We then propose a free-energy pathway of C₂H₄ formation. We find that the presence of halide anions significantly decreases the free energy of the *CHOCH intermediate, and enhances desorption of C₂H₄ in the order of I⁻>Cl⁻>Br⁻>F⁻. Lastly, the obtained results are rationalized through Bader charge analysis.     

Experimental Evidence of CO2 Photoreduction Activity of SnO2 Nanoparticles

Tin dioxide (SnO₂) has intrinsic characteristics that do not favor its photocatalytic activity. However, we evidenced that surface modification can positively influence its performance for CO₂ photoreduction in the gas phase. The hydroxylation of the SnO₂ surface played a role in the CO₂ affinity decreasing its reduction potential. The results showed that a certain selectivity for methane (CH₄), carbon monoxide (CO), and ethylene (C₂H₄) is related to different SnO₂ hydrothermal annealing. The best performance was seen for SnO₂ annealed at 150 °C, with a production of 20.4 μmol g⁻¹ for CH₄ and 16.45 μmol g⁻¹ for CO, while for SnO₂ at 200 °C the system produced more C₂H₄, probably due to a decrease of surface −OH groups.     

Nitrogen‐doped C60 as a robust catalyst for CO oxidation

The O₂ activation and CO oxidation on nitrogen‐doped C₅₉N fullerene are investigated using first‐principles calculations. The calculations indicate that the C₅₉N fullerene is able to activate O₂ molecules resulting in the formation of superoxide species ( ) both kinetically and thermodynamically. The active superoxide can further react with CO to form CO₂ via the Eley–Rideal mechanism by passing a stepwise reaction barrier of only 0.20 eV. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation is carried out to evidence the feasibility of the Eley–Rideal mechanism. In addition, the second CO oxidation takes place with the remaining atomic O without any activation energy barrier. The full catalytic reaction cycles can occur energetically favorable and suggest a two‐step Eley–Rideal mechanism for CO oxidation with O₂ catalyzed by the C₅₉N fullerene. The catalytic properties of high percentage nitrogen‐doped fullerene (C₄₈N₁₂) is also examined. This work contributes to designing higher effective carbon‐based materials catalysts by a dependable theoretical insight into the catalytic properties of the nitrogen‐doped fullerene. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven CO2 Reduction by Mesoporous Carbon Nitride Modified with Polymeric Cobalt Phthalocyanine

The integration of molecular catalysts with low‐cost, solid light absorbers presents a promising strategy to construct catalysts for the generation of solar fuels. Here, we report a photocatalyst for CO₂ reduction that consists of a polymeric cobalt phthalocyanine catalyst (CoPPc) coupled with mesoporous carbon nitride (mpg‐CN_x) as the photosensitizer. This precious‐metal‐free hybrid catalyst selectively converts CO₂ to CO in organic solvents under UV/Vis light (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2, λ>300 nm) with a cobalt‐based turnover number of 90 for CO after 60 h. Notably, the photocatalyst retains 60 % CO evolution activity under visible light irradiation (λ>400 nm) and displays moderate water tolerance. The in situ polymerization of the phthalocyanine allows control of catalyst loading and is key for achieving photocatalytic CO₂ conversion.     

Promoting CO2 Electroreduction to Multi-Carbon Products by Hydrophobicity-Induced Electro-Kinetic Retardation

Advancing the performance of the Cu-catalyzed electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is crucial for its practical applications. Still, the wettable pristine Cu surface often suffers from low exposure to CO₂, reducing the Faradaic efficiencies (FEs) and current densities for multi-carbon (C₂₊) products. Recent studies have proposed that increasing surface availability for CO₂ by cation-exchange ionomers can enhance the C₂₊ product formation rates. However, due to the rapid formation and consumption of *CO, such promotion in reaction kinetics can shorten the residence of *CO whose adsorption determines C₂₊ selectivity, and thus the resulting C₂₊ FEs remain low. Herein, we discover that the electro-kinetic retardation caused by the strong hydrophobicity of quaternary ammonium group-functionalized polynorbornene ionomers can greatly prolong the *CO residence on Cu. This unconventional electro-kinetic effect is demonstrated by the increased Tafel slopes and the decreased sensitivity of *CO coverage change to potentials. As a result, the strongly hydrophobic Cu electrodes exhibit C₂₊ Faradaic efficiencies of ≈90 % at a partial current density of 223 mA cm⁻², more than twice of bare or hydrophilic Cu surfaces.     

Acetylene Dithiolate Linking up the [Tp′W(CO)(CN)] Moiety with RuII or PdII

A series of heterodinuclear complexes with acetylene dithiolate (acdt^2?) as the bridging moiety were synthesised by a facile one‐pot procedure that avoided use of the highly elusive acetylene dithiol. Generation of the W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] (Tp’=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) and the W–Pd complexes [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] and [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)][PF₆] (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphoshino)ethane), which exhibit a [W(η²‐κ²‐C₂S₂)M] core (M=Ru, Pd), was accomplished by using a transition‐metal‐assisted solvolytical removal of the Me₃Si‐ethyl thiol protecting groups. All intermediate species of the reaction have been fully characterised. The highly coloured W–Ru complex [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] shows reversible redox chemistry, as does the prototype complex [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)][PF₆]. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction and IR, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies in conjunction with DFT calculations prove the high electronic delocalisation of states over the acdt^2? linker. Comparative studies revealed a higher donor strength and more pronounced dithiolate character of acdt^2? in [Tp′W(CN)(CO)(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)] relative to [Tp′W(CO)₂(C₂S₂)Ru(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(PPh₃)]⁺. In addition, the influence of the overall complex charge on the metric parameters was investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies with the W–Pd complexes [Tp′WL₂(C₂S₂)Pd(dppe)] (L=(CN^?)(CO) or (CO)₂). The central [W(C₂S₂)Pd] units exhibit high structural similarity, which indicates the extensive delocalisation of charge over both metals.     

Addition des O'Donnell Reagenzes [Ph2C=NCHCO2Me]– an π-koordinierte,ungesättigte Kohlenwasserstoffe in [(C6H7)Fe(CO)3]+, [(C7H9)Fe(CO)3]+, [(C7H7)M(CO)3]+ (M = Cr,Mo) und [(C2H4)Re(CO)5]+. α-Aminosäuren mit metallorganischen Seitenketten

Metal Complexes of Biologically Important Ligands. CXVII [1] Addition of the O'Donnell Reagent [Ph₂C=NCHCO₂Me]^– to Coordinated, Unsaturated Hydrocarbons of [(C₆H₇)Fe(CO)₃]⁺, [C₇H₉Fe(CO)₃]⁺, [(C₇H₇)M(CO)₃]⁺ (M = Cr, Mo), and [(C₂H₄)Re(CO)₅]⁺. α-Amino Acids with Organometallic Side Chains The addition of [Ph₂C=NCHCO₂Me]^– to [(C₆H₇)Fe(CO)₃]⁺, [(C₇H₉)Fe(CO)₃]⁺, [(C₇H₇)M(CO)₃]⁺ (M = Cr, Mo) and [(C₂H₄)Re(CO)₅]⁺ gives derivatives of α-amino acids with organometallic side chains. The structure of [(η⁴-C₆H₇)CH(N=CPh₂)CO₂Me]Fe(CO)₃ was determined by X-ray diffraction. From the adduct of [Ph₂C=NCHCO₂Me]^– and [(C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₃]⁺ the Schiff base of a new unnatural α-amino acid, Ph₂C=NCH(C₇H₇)CO₂Me, was obtained.     

Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase Reduces Cyanate to Cyanide

The biocatalytic function of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) has a high environmental relevance owing to its ability to reduce CO₂. Despite numerous studies on CODH over the past decades, its catalytic mechanism is not yet fully understood. In the present combined spectroscopic and theoretical study, we report first evidences for a cyanate (NCO⁻) to cyanide (CN⁻) reduction at the C-cluster. The adduct remains bound to the catalytic center to form the so-called CN⁻-inhibited state. Notably, this conversion does not occur in crystals of the Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans CODH enzyme (CODHII_Ch), as indicated by the lack of the corresponding CN⁻ stretching mode. The transformation of NCO⁻, which also acts as an inhibitor of the two-electron-reduced C_red2 state of CODH, could thus mimic CO₂ turnover and open new perspectives for elucidation of the detailed catalytic mechanism of CODH.