Synthesis gas (syngas, CO+H2 mixtures) is an important industrial feedstock for producing bulk chemicals (methanol, dimethyl ether, acetic acid, etc.) and synthetic fuels by industrial processing. We present results here that show that the Ru(II) polypyridyl complex [RuII(tpy)(Mebim-py)(H2O)]2+ (Mebim-py = 3-methyl-1-pyridyl-benzimidazol-2-ylidene) can catalyze both CO2 reduction to CO and water/proton reduction to H2 in water. The H2/CO ratio in the syngas product is broadly variable by varying the potential and pH with conditions found that optimize production of the 2:1 H2/CO ratio appropriate as a precursor for methanol and liquid hydrocarbons. Mechanistic investigations point to a common intermediate produced by electrocatalytic reduction of the Ru complex which, upon reduction, generates H2 or CO by separate pathways. The final product distribution is dependent on applied potential and the concentration of added buffer acid.

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 in water to CO+H2 syngas mixtures

249th National Meeting (2015)

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