Oxygenates from the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) driven by renewable electricity to give chemicals and fuels is considered an ideal approach that can alleviate both carbon emission and energy tension stress. High‐value chemicals such as oxygenates can be effectively produced from the electroreduction of CO₂, and this is highly attractive to promote the economy and applicability of CO₂ utilization. This review focuses on recent advancements in the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to formic acid, methanol, ethanol, acetic acid, and other oxygenates. The principles of the process, influencing factors, and typical catalysts are summarized. On the basis of the aforementioned discussions, we present future prospects for further development of the electroreduction of CO₂ to oxygenates.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Metal‐free systems, including frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have been shown to bind CO₂. By reducing the Lewis acidity and basicity of the ambiphilic system, it is possible to generate active catalysts for the deoxygenative hydroboration of carbon dioxide to methanol derivatives with conversion rates comparable to those of transition‐metal‐based catalysts.     

Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to 1-Butanol on Oxide-Derived Copper

The electroreduction of carbon dioxide using renewable electricity is an appealing strategy for the sustainable synthesis of chemicals and fuels. Extensive research has focused on the production of ethylene, ethanol and n-propanol, but more complex C₄ molecules have been scarcely reported. Herein, we report the first direct electroreduction of CO₂ to 1-butanol in alkaline electrolyte on Cu gas diffusion electrodes (Faradaic efficiency=0.056 %, j_1-Butanol=−0.080 mA cm⁻² at −0.48 V vs. RHE) and elucidate its formation mechanism. Electrolysis of possible molecular intermediates, coupled with density functional theory, led us to propose that CO₂ first electroreduces to acetaldehyde-a key C₂ intermediate to 1-butanol. Acetaldehyde then undergoes a base-catalyzed aldol condensation to give crotonaldehyde via electrochemical promotion by the catalyst surface. Crotonaldehyde is subsequently electroreduced to butanal, and then to 1-butanol. In a broad context, our results point to the relevance of coupling chemical and electrochemical processes for the synthesis of higher molecular weight products from CO₂.     

Isolation of a Neutral Boron‐Containing Radical Stabilized by a Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene

Utilizing a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) as a ligand, neutral CAAC‐stabilized radicals containing a boryl functionality could be prepared by reduction of the corresponding haloborane adducts. The radical species with a duryl substituent was fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Compared to known neutral boryl radicals, the isolated radical species showed larger spin density on the boron atom. Furthermore, the compound that was isolated is extraordinarily stable to high temperatures under inert conditions, both in solution and in the solid state. Electrochemical investigations of the radical suggest the possibility to generate a stable formal boryl anion species.     

One‐, Two‐, and Three‐Electron Reduction of a Cyclic Alkyl(amino)carbene–SbCl3 Adduct

A cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene readily reacts with SbCl₃ to form the corresponding Sb^III adduct. One‐electron reduction gives rise to the first example of a neutral antimony‐centered radical characterized in solution. Two‐electron reduction affords a Lewis base stabilized chloro‐stibinidene, whereas three‐electron reduction gives an antimony diatomic species capped by two carbenes. The radical has been characterized by EPR spectroscopy, while the structure of the other three species has been ascertained by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In these four species, the formal oxidation state of the metalloid diminishes from III, to II, to I, and finally 0.     

CO2电化学还原研究进展

综述了利用电化学方法研究CO2在水溶剂，非水溶剂中的转化情况和机理，以及将CO2固定在有机络合物中或用光电化学，光催化还原CO2及仿光合作用转移CO2的最新研究情况，旨在寻求一种合理，高效的CO2转化方法以缓解温室效应。     

Reactivity of Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) and Bis(amino)cyclopropenylidenes (BACs) with Heteroallenes: Comparisons with their N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHCs) Counterparts

Similarly to NHCs, CAAC_a and BAC_a react with CO₂ to give the corresponding betaines. Based on the carbonyl stretching frequencies of cis‐[RhCl(CO)₂(L)] complexes, the order of electron donor ability was predicted to be CAAC_a≈BAC_a>NHCs. When the betaines ν_asym(CO₂) values are used, the apparent ordering is BAC_a>NHCs≈CAAC_a that indicates a limitation for the use of IR spectroscopy in the ranking of ligand σ‐donating ability. Although all carbenes react with carbon disulfide to give the corresponding betaines, a second equivalent of CS₂ reacts with the BAC‐CS₂ leading to a bicyclic thieno[2,3‐diamino]‐1,3‐dithiole‐2‐thione, which results from a novel ring expansion process. Surprisingly, in contrast to NHCs, CAAC _a does not react with carbodiimide, whereas BAC_a exclusively gives a ring expanded product, analogous to that obtained with CS₂. The intermediate amidinate can be trapped, using the lithium tetrafluoroborate adduct of BAC_b as a carbene surrogate.     

熔盐电化学还原二氧化碳制备碳材料研究进展北大核心CSCD

二氧化碳浓度持续升高导致的温室效应已在全球范围内引发极端天气、冰川融化等一系列生态环境问题。为降低二氧化碳含量,改善气候变暖带来的恶劣影响,研发高效、绿色、安全的二氧化碳处理技术,促进碳资源循环可持续发展刻不容缓。熔盐离子液体作为一种良好的电化学转化介质,为二氧化碳还原提供了一条极具应用前景的技术路线。综述了国内外近几年高温熔盐中二氧化碳的捕获与电化学还原的研究,简述了熔盐电沉积碳的电化学机理和热力学机制,对不同形貌高附加值碳材料:无定形碳、碳球和碳纳米管的制备进行了总结,最后对未来发展方向做出展望。     

Metathesis of P=C Bonds Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

The catalytic metathesis of C=C bonds is a textbook reaction that has no parallel in the widely studied area of multiple bonds involving heavier p-block elements. A high-yielding P=C bond metathesis of phosphaalkenes (ArP=CPh₂, Ar=Mes, o-Tol, Ph) has been discovered that is catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC=Me₂IMe, Me₂IⁱPr). The products are cyclic oligomers formally derived from ArP=PAr [i. e. cyclo-(ArP)_n; n=3, 4, 5, 6] and Ph₂C=CPh₂. Preliminary mechanistic studies of this remarkable transformation have established NHC=PAr (Ar=Mes, o-Tol, Ph) as key phosphinidene transfer agents. In addition, novel cyclic intermediates, such as, cyclo-(ArP)₂CPh₂ and cyclo-(ArP)₄CPh₂ have also been observed. This work represents a rare application of non-metal-based catalysts for transformations involving main-group elements.     

二氧化碳电化学还原的研究进展

利用低品阶的可再生电能,将二氧化碳(CO_2)电化学还原生成高附加值的化学品或燃料,既可以变废为宝、减少CO_2排放,又能将可再生能源转变为高能量密度的燃料储存,具有重要的现实意义。电化学还原CO_2的研究,是目前世界范围内的研究热点,许多标志性的重要研究成果不断涌现。本文首先简要介绍了CO_2电化学还原的基本原理,然后概述了近5年来在其电催化剂材料和反应机理相关的实验与理论研究方面的昀新研究进展,昀后对其发展趋势进行了展望。     

Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs): Recent Developments

Discovered in 2005, cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) are among the most nucleophilic (σ donating) and also electrophilic (π‐accepting) stable carbenes known to date. These properties allow them to activate a variety of small molecules and enthalpically strong bonds, to stabilize highly reactive main‐group and transition‐metal diamagnetic and paramagnetic species, and to bind strongly to metal centers, which gives rise to very robust catalysts. The most important results published up to the end of 2013 are briefly summarized, while the majority of this Review focuses on findings reported within the last three years.     

Photochemical and Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Utilization with Organic Compounds

In the last few years, photochemical and electrochemical CO₂ transformations have attracted increasing attention in response to topical interest in renewable energy and green chemistry. The present minireview offers an overview about the current approaches for the photochemical and electrochemical carbon dioxide fixation with organic compounds. Valuable products, including carboxylic acids and heterocyclic compounds, are accessible through carboxylation and carboxylative cyclization, respectively. In photochemical and electrochemical processes, photo‐ or electro‐induced radical ions or other high‐energy organic compounds are considered as key intermediates to react with CO₂. Besides, activation of CO₂ to produce radical anion has also been reported.     

A Water-Soluble Sodium Pectate Complex with Copper as an Electrochemical Catalyst for Carbon Dioxide Reduction

A selective noble-metal-free molecular catalyst has emerged as a fruitful approach in the quest for designing efficient and stable catalytic materials for CO₂ reduction. In this work, we report that a sodium pectate complex of copper (PG-NaCu) proved to be highly active in the electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ to CH₄ in water. Stability and selectivity of conversion of CO₂ to CH₄ as a product at a glassy carbon electrode were discovered. The copper complex PG-NaCu was synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) proceeds at −1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl at ~10 mA/cm² current densities in the presence of the catalyst. The current density decreases by less than 20% within 12 h of electrolysis (the main decrease occurs in the first 3 h of electrolysis in the presence of CO₂). This copper pectate complex (PG-NaCu) combines the advantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts, the stability of heterogeneous solid materials and the performance (high activity and selectivity) of molecular catalysts.     

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

The large concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere can be utilized in industrial production using effective electrocatalysts such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Due to good properties such as high surface area, designable functionality, and uniform constitution, MOFs are regarded as promising electrocatalysts for the carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction reaction (eCO₂RR). This review covers the importance, challenges, and mechanism of eCO₂RR, and simply discusses the progress in the synthesis methods and characterization of MOFs. The review also thoroughly discusses the advances of single metal-based MOFs, mixed metal-based MOFs, and MOF derivatives as electrocatalysts for efficient eCO₂RR.     

锡气体扩散电极上电化学还原二氧化碳制甲酸性能的稳定性

研究了Sn气体扩散电极(SGDE)上电化学还原CO₂制甲酸(ERCF)性能的稳定性。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线能量色散谱(EDX)和活性表面积测试等技术手段 分别表征SGDE在电化学还原CO₂制甲酸过程前后的物相结构、表面形貌、元素组成和活性表面积。 采用生成甲酸的法拉第效率(f_HCOOH)评价SGDE上电化学还原CO₂制甲酸的性能。 结果显示,f_HCOOH随电解时间的延长急剧地降低,电解时间12 h的f_HCOOH((36.6±1.6)%)比电解时间0.5 h时的f_HCOOH((78.5±0.1)%)降低了53%。 SGDE在12 h电还原反应后,表面沉积了微量Fe,而且Sn含量(质量分数)减少了66%,活性表面积降低了41%。 进一步的研究发现,沉积的微量Fe对电化学还原CO₂制甲酸过程基本没有影响,Sn含量和活性表面积的降低可能是SGDE上电化学还原CO₂制甲酸性能降低的主要原因。     

Photochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Catalyzed by a Ruthenium‐Substituted Polyoxometalate

A polyoxometalate of the Keggin structure substituted with Ru^III, ⁶Q₅[Ru^III(H₂O)SiW₁₁O₃₉] in which ⁶Q=(C₆H₁₃)₄N⁺, catalyzed the photoreduction of CO₂ to CO with tertiary amines, preferentially Et₃N, as reducing agents. A study of the coordination of CO₂ to ⁶Q₅[Ru^III(H₂O)SiW₁₁O₃₉] showed that 1) upon addition of CO₂ the UV/Vis spectrum changed, 2) a rhombic signal was obtained in the EPR spectrum (g_x=2.146, g_y=2.100, and g_z=1.935), and 3) the ¹³C NMR spectrum had a broadened peak of bound CO₂ at 105.78 ppm (Δ_1/2=122 Hz). It was concluded that CO₂ coordinates to the Ru^III active site in both the presence and absence of Et₃N to yield ⁶Q₅[Ru^III(CO₂)SiW₁₁O₃₉]. Electrochemical measurements showed the reduction of Ru^III to Ru^II in ⁶Q₅[Ru^III(CO₂)SiW₁₁O₃₉] at ?0.31 V versus SCE, but no such reduction was observed for ⁶Q₅[Ru^III(H₂O)SiW₁₁O₃₉]. DFT‐calculated geometries optimized at the M06/PC1//PBE/AUG‐PC1//PBE/PC1‐DF level of theory showed that CO₂ is preferably coordinated in a side‐on manner to Ru^III in the polyoxometalate through formation of a Ru? O bond, further stabilized by the interaction of the electrophilic carbon atom of CO₂ to an oxygen atom of the polyoxometalate. The end‐on CO₂ bonding to Ru^III is energetically less favorable but CO₂ is considerably bent, thus favoring nucleophilic attack at the carbon atom and thereby stabilizing the carbon sp² hybridization state. Formation of a O₂C–NMe₃ zwitterion, in turn, causes bending of CO₂ and enhances the carbon sp² hybridization. The synergetic effect of these two interactions stabilizes both Ru–O and C–N interactions and probably determines the promotional effect of an amine on the activation of CO₂ by [Ru^III(H₂O)SiW₁₁O₃₉]^5?. Electronic structure analysis showed that the polyoxometalate takes part in the activation of both CO₂ and Et₃N. A mechanistic pathway for photoreduction of CO₂ is suggested based on the experimental and computed results.     

Isolation of an Imino‐N‐heterocyclic Carbene/Germanium(0) Adduct: A Mesoionic Germylene Equivalent

An autoionization of germanium dichloride/dioxane complex with an imino‐N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand ( L ) afforded a novel germyliumylidene ion, [( L )GeCl]⁺[GeCl₃]^?, which was fully characterized. Reduction of the germyliumylidene ion with potassium graphite produced a cyclic species [( L )Ge], which can be viewed as both a Ge⁰ species and a mesoionic germylene. X‐ray diffraction analysis and computational studies revealed one of the lone pairs on the Ge atom is involved in the π system on the GeC₂N₂ five‐membered ring. It was also confirmed that the nucleophilic behavior of [( L )Ge] as a two lone‐pair donor.     

Crystalline Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene‐tetrafluoropyridyl Radical

A stable cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) 1 inserts into the para‐CF bond of pentafluoropyridine, and after fluoride abstraction, the iminium‐pyridyl adduct [ 3 ]⁺ was isolated. A cyclic voltammetry study shows a reversible three‐state redox system involving [ 3 ]⁺, [ 3 ] ^? , and [ 3 ] ^? . The CAAC‐pyridyl radical [ 3 ] ^? , obtained by reduction of [ 3 ]⁺ with magnesium, has been spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized. In contrast to the lack of π communication between the CAAC and the pyridine units in cation [ 3 ]⁺, the unpaired electron of [ 3 ] ^? is delocalized over an extended π system involving both heterocycles.     

Rapid Selective Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formate by an Iridium Pincer Catalyst Immobilized on Carbon Nanotube Electrodes

An iridium pincer dihydride catalyst was immobilized on carbon nanotube‐coated gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) by using a non‐covalent binding strategy. The as‐prepared GDEs are efficient, selective, durable, gas permeable electrodes for electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to formate. High turnover numbers (ca. 54 000) and turnover frequencies (ca. 15 s^?1) were enabled by the novel electrode architecture in aqueous solutions saturated in CO₂ with added HCO₃^?.     

Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Value‐Added Products: The Electrocatalyst and Microbial Electrosynthesis

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to value‐added products obtains great attention and investigation worldwide in recent years. The commercialization of this green process relies on the progress of relating high‐performance electrocatalysts and their feasibility with proper reactor design. The microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an alternative route to reduce CO₂ with electroactive bio‐film electrode as catalyst. This review presents the research status and development of cathode catalysts, particularly focusing on the active sites and development tendency, for highly efficient electrochemical reduction CO₂ from personal viewpoint. Some of our results are also presented to exhibit contributions. MES shows a similar process to the typical electrochemical reduction of CO₂. Their combination is an important trend, and the future research in this field is full of challenges and opportunities.