Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO and HCO2− with Zn(ii) complexes displaying cooperative ligand reduction

Air-stable zinc( ii ) complexes, [Zn(κ 2 -2,6-{Ph 2 PNMe} 2 (NC 5 H 3 ))Br 2 ] ( 1 ) and [Zn(κ 2 -2-{Ph 2 PNMe}(NC 5 H 3 ))Br 2 ] ( 2 ) are reported and 1 was capable of electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 at −2.3 V vs. Fc +/0 to give CO/HCO 2 H in mixed H 2 O/acetonitrile solutions.