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Title: Methane Generation from CO2 with a Molecular Rhenium Catalyst

Journal Article · · Inorganic Chemistry
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [3];  [2];  [2]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [4]; ORCiD logo [5]
  1. Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States)
  2. DePaul Univ., Chicago, IL (United States)
  3. Rigaku, The Woodlands, TX (United States)
  4. Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
  5. Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States); Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States). Inst. of Materials Science

The atomic-level tunability of molecular structures is a compelling reason to develop homogeneous catalysts for challenging reactions such as the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to valuable C1–Cn products. Of particular interest is methane, the largest component of natural gas. Herein, we report a series of three isomeric rhenium tricarbonyl complexes coordinated by the asymmetric diimine ligands 2-(isoquinolin-1-yl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole (quin-1-oxa), 2-(quinolin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole (quin-2-oxa), and 2-(isoquinolin-3-yl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole (quin-3-oxa) that catalyze the reduction of CO2 to carbon monoxide and methane, albeit the latter with a low efficiency. To our knowledge, these complexes are the first examples of rhenium(I) catalysts capable of converting carbon dioxide into methane. Re(quin-1-oxa)(CO)3Cl (1), Re(quin-2-oxa)(CO)3Cl (2), and Re(quin-3-oxa)(CO)3Cl (3) were characterized and studied using a variety of electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. In bulk electrolysis experiments, the three complexes reduce CO2 to CO and CH4. When the controlled-potential electrolysis experiments are performed at -2.5 V (vs Fc+/0) and in the presence of the Brønsted acid 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, methane is produced with turnover numbers that range from 1.3 to 1.8. Isotope labeling experiments using 13CO2 atmosphere produce 13CH4 (m/z = 17) confirming that methane originates from CO2 reduction. Theoretical calculations are performed to investigate the mechanistic aspects of the 8e/8H+ reduction of CO2 to CH4. Overall, a ligand-assisted pathway is proposed to be an efficient pathway in the formation of CH4. Delocalization of the electron density on the (iso)quinoline moiety upon reduction stabilizes the key carbonyl intermediate leading to additional reactivity of this ligand. These results should aid the development of more robust catalytic systems that produce CH4 from CO2.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012704; CHE-1652606; 1411219
OSTI ID:
1784495
Report Number(s):
BNL-221391-2021-JAAM
Journal Information:
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 60, Issue 6; ISSN 0020-1669
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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