Title: “Strategic Design of Homogeneous Manganese Tricarbonyl Catalysts for the Proton-Coupled Reduction of Carbon Dioxide”
By: Prof. Jonathan Rochford, Chemistry and Biochemistry, UMass Boston
Abstract: The conversion of CO2 into clean fuels and valuable chemical feedstocks such as carbon monoxide (CO) and formic acid (HCO2H) is a critical component towards achieving sustainable, carbon-neutral, energy technologies. As such, catalytic conversion of CO2 to reduced forms of carbon using electrical potential energy from renewable sources is highly desired. Our current understanding of catalytic CO2 reduction with molecular transition-metal electrocatalysts has progressed significantly in recent years. However, there remain many questions and critical challenges ahead. Indeed, acquiring an advanced understanding of proton-coupled electron transfer in the CO2 reduction catalytic cycle is highly desired. This will allow for the thermodynamic control of reactive intermediates under non-equilibrium conditions, to promote a desired catalytic outcome, and guide in the develop new processes and materials to secure a clean energy future. The focus of CO2 reduction projects in the Rochford lab has primarily centered around the [fac-Mn(N^N)(CO)3(CH3CN)]+ class of catalysts using electrochemical activation. This seminar will summarize our findings with respect to the impact of ligand design toward developing a better understanding of proton-coupled CO2 reduction. Also discussed will be the thermodynamic considerations which govern product selectivity in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction with respect to the pH dependent reactivity in non-aqueous acetonitrile based-electrolytes.
