Computational insights into electrocatalytic CO2 reduction facilitated by Mn(I) half sandwich-based catalysts: Role of substitution and solvent. (10th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mandal, Shyama Charan; Pathak, Biswarup
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 366(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-10
• Subjects: Density functional theory -- CO2 reduction -- Half sandwich-based Mn(I) complexes -- Redox ligand -- Solvent effect; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137463
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Abstract: Using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have considered a series of Mn(I) half sandwich-based catalysts and explored the electrochemical CO2 reduction to CO. Various substituents (NH2, CMe3, CH3, OH and COOH) and solvent effects (acetonitrile, water and DMSO) have been studied to understand their roles in the CO2 reduction reactions. For active catalyst formation, the substituent effect is found to be very significant for the second reduction potentials compared to the first reduction potentials. However, the solvent effect is significant for both the reduction potentials. The detailed investigations of our calculated results show that the formation of the active catalyst, CO2 vs. proton binding, and formation/breaking of C–OH bond are the most important steps. The COOH substitution in the Mn(I) half sandwich-based catalyst is found to be more promising for the efficient formation/breaking of C–OH bond during CO2 reduction reaction. The calculated results show that the reduction step is more favourable in DMSO followed by water and acetonitrile solvent whereas protonation step is more favourable in acetonitrile followed by water and DMSO solvent. As the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction contain both protonation and reduction steps the perfect solvent will be water. Graphical abstract: The ligand modification and solvent effect for CO2 reduction reaction by Mn(I) half sandwich-based catalysts are theoretically elucidated. Image, graphical abstract