Enhanced Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 Catalyzed by Cobalt and Iron Amino Porphyrin Complexes

Metallo-porphyrin complexes such as cobalt and iron porphyrins (CoP and FeP) have shown potential as electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction. Here we report that introducing amino substituents enhances the electrocatalytic activity of these systems toward CO2 reduction through a dual active site approach. We developed a flexible synthesis of Co- and Fe-porphyrins having variable amino groups and found that monoamino FeP reduces CO2 to carbon monoxide (CO) at ambient pressure and temperature with competitive turnover numbers (TONS). This efficiency enhancement approach opens a new path to designing and optimizing next generation homogeneous catalysts.