Manganese is relatively more abundant than other useful transition metals; and may be coupled with a non-innocent ligand to yield an efficient electrocatalyst for the activation of CO2. Various pyridine-amine ligands have been reacted with bromopentacarbonylmanganese, Mn(CO)5Br, to create a new series of potential electrocatalysts, testing the relative efficiencies of both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing functional groups on the ligands. Initial characterization through infrared spectroscopy and 1H-NMR indicates successful synthesis of Mn-based compounds. Cyclic voltammetry displays significant electrocatalytic currents; in particular for Mn(2-amino-3,5-dichloropyridine)(CO)3Br. Analysis will use combined bulk electrolysis and gas chromatography to confirm product ratios. Continuing to use analytical techniques to realize the effect of different amine ligands on the efficiency of Mn-based electrocatalysts, will likely have broader implications for the initiative to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Synthesis and analysis of pyridine-amine manganese electrocatalysts for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

ACS Spring 2022

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