Splitting CO 2 into CO and O 2 by a single catalyst

The metal complex [(tpy)(Mebim-py)Ru II (S)] 2+ (tpy = 2,2 ′ : 6 ′ ,2 ′′ -terpyridine; Mebim-py = 3-methyl-1-pyridylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene; S = solvent) is a robust, reactive electrocatalyst toward both water oxidation to oxygen and carbon dioxide reduction to carbon monoxide. Here we describe its use as a single electrocatalyst for CO 2 splitting, CO 2 → CO + 1/2 O 2 , in a two-compartment electrochemical cell.