Electrochemical dechlorination promotes syngas production in N-heterocyclic carbene protected Au13 nanoclusters

First-principles simulations and electrochemical experiments reveal the facile shedding of the chloride ligands from the [Au 13 (NHC Me ) 9 Cl 3 ] 2+ cluster, exposing the Au atom as an active site to promote syngas formation from CO 2 electroreduction.