Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 based on polypyridyl complexes of rhodium and ruthenium

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to either CO or formate ion in MeCN solution has been shown to occur using precursor complexes such as Ru(trpy)(dppene)Cl+ or cis-Rh(bpy)2(TFMS)2+[trpy = 2,2′,2″-terpyridine; dppene =cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; TFMS = trifluoromethanesulphonate anion].