Mechanistic and kinetic studies of cobalt macrocycles in a photochemical CO2 reduction system: Evidence of Co-CO2 adducts as intermediates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00130a009

Cobalt macrocycles mediate electron transfer in the photoreduction of CO₂ with p-terphenyl as a photosensitizer and a tertiary amine as a sacrificial electron donor in a 5:1 acetonitrile/methanol mixture. The mechanism and kinetics of this system have been studied by continuous and flash photolysis techniques. Transient spectra provide evidence for the sequential formation of the p-terphenyl radical anion, the Co^IL⁺ complex, the [Co^IL-CO₂]⁺ complex, and the [S-Co^IIIL-(CO₂^2-)]⁺ complex (L = HMD = 5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene; S = solvent) in the catalytic system. The electron-transfer rate constant for the reaction of p-terphenyl radical anion with Co^IIL²⁺ is 1.1 × 10¹⁰ M^-1 s^-1 and probably diffusion controlled because of the large driving force (～+1.1 V). Flash photolysis studies yield a rate constant 1.7 × 10⁸ M^-1 s^-1 and an equilibrium constant 1.1 × 10⁴ M^-1 for the binding of CO₂ to Co^IL⁺ in the catalytic system. These are consistent with those previously obtained by conventional methods in acetonitrile. Studies of catalytic systems with varying cobalt macrocycles highlight some of the factors controlling the kinetics of the photoreduction of CO₂. Steric hindrance and reduction potentials are important factors in the catalytic activity for photochemical CO₂ reduction.