Selectivity

Organic chemistry

Photocatalysis

Catalysis

Inorganic chemistry

Aqueous solution

Chemistry

Electron donor

Photosensitizer

Porphyrin

Turnover number

Cobalt

Photochemistry

ACS Catalysis

The performance of a water-soluble cobalt porphyrin ([{meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato}cobalt(III)], CoTPPS) as a catalyst for the photoreduction of CO2 in fully aqueous media has been investigated under visible light irradiation using [Ru(bpy)3]2+ as a photosensitizer and ascorbate as a sacrificial electron donor. CO is selectively produced (>82%) with high efficiency (926 TONCO; TONCO = turnover number for CO). Upon optimization, selectivities of at least 91% are achieved. Efficiencies up to 4000 TONCO and 2400 h–1 TOFCO (TOFCO = turnover frequency for CO) are reached at low catalyst loadings, albeit with loss in selectivity. This work successfully demonstrates the ability of CoTPPS to perform highly efficient photoreduction of CO2 in water while retaining its high selectivity for CO formation.

Highly Efficient and Selective Photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction to CO in Water by a Cobalt Porphyrin Molecular Catalyst

Highly Efficient and Selective Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to CO in Water by a Cobalt Porphyrin Molecular Catalyst

Highly Efficient and Selective Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to CO in Water by a Cobalt Porphyrin Molecular Catalyst