Synthesis, characterization, and electrocatalytic activity of bis(pyridylimino)isoindoline Cu() and Ni() complexes

Two NNN pincer complexes of Cu( ii ) and Ni( ii ) with BPI Me − [BPI Me − = 1,3-bis((6-methylpyridin-2-yl)imino)isoindolin-2-ide] have been prepared and characterized structurally, spectroscopically, and electrochemically. The single crystal structures of the two complexes confirmed their distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry attained by three equatorial N-atoms from the ligand and two axially positioned water molecules to give [Cu(BPI Me )(H 2 O) 2 ]ClO 4 and [Ni(BPI Me )(H 2 O) 2 ]ClO 4 . Electrochemical studies of Cu( ii ) and Ni( ii ) complexes have been performed in acetonitrile to identify metal-based and ligand-based redox activity. When subjected to a saturated CO 2 atmosphere, both complexes displayed catalytic activity for the reduction of CO 2 with the Cu( ii ) complex displaying higher activity than the Ni( ii ) analogue. However, both complexes were shown to decompose into catalytically active heterogeneous materials on the electrode surface over extended reductive electrolysis periods. Surface analysis of these materials using energy dispersive spectroscopy as well as their physical appearance suggests the reductive deposition of copper and nickel metal on the electrode surface. Electrocatalysis and decomposition are proposed to be triggered by ligand reduction, where complex stability is believed to be tied to fluxional ligand coordination in the reduced state. Similar structure observed between Cu( ii ) and Ni( ii ) based bis(pyridylimino)isoindole complexes, yet greatly different levels of catalytic activity.