Surprisingly big linker-dependence of activity and selectivity in CO reduction by an iridium() pincer complex

Here, we report the quantitative electroreduction of CO 2 to CO by a PNP-pincer iridium( i ) complex bearing amino linkers in DMF/water. The electrocatalytic properties greatly depend on the choice of linker within the ligand. The complex 3-N is far superior to the analogues with methylene and oxygen linkers, showing higher activity and better selectivity for CO 2 over proton reduction. Here, we report the quantitative electroreduction of CO 2 to CO by a PNP-pincer iridium( i ) complex bearing amino linkers in DMF/water. The activity and selectivity of the reduction greatly depend on the choice of linker within the ligand.