Ligand-Bound CO2 as a Nonclassical Route toward Efficient Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction with a Ni N‑Confused Porphyrin

Implementing the synergistic effects between the metal and the ligand has successfully streamlined the energetics for CO2 activation and gained high catalytic activities, establishing the important breakthroughs in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Herein, we describe a Ni­(II) N-confused porphyrin complex (NiNCP) featuring an acidic N–H group. It is readily deprotonated and exists in an anion form during catalysis. Owing to this functional site, NiNCP gave rise to an outstanding turnover number (TON) as high as 217,000 with a 98% selectivity for CO2 reduction to CO, while the parent Ni­(II) porphyrin (NiTPP) was found to be nearly inactive. Our mechanistic analysis revealed a nonclassical reaction pattern where CO2 was effectively activated via the attack of the Lewis-basic ligand. The resulting ligand-bound CO2 adduct could be further reduced to produce CO. This new metal–ligand synergistic effect is anticipated to inspire the design of highly active catalysts for small molecule activations.