Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Fuels and Fuel Precursors
Final Report Abstract
In the course of my research I studied the equilibration of carbon dioxide / hydrogen and formic acid under the influence of nickel bis-diphosphine ligands with pendant bases, of general formula [Ni(P^R2N^R2)2MeCN](BF4)2. Special attention was given to the examination of the influence of the pendant base. Furthermore, I examined the influence of different substituents on the phosphorus donor atoms in these reactions. This yielded the synthesis and characterization of several new [Ni(P^R2N^R2)2MeCN](BF4)2 complexes and the examination of their reactivity in the formation and splitting of formic acid. Several crystal structures of the new complexes bearing new conformations at the P2N2 ligands and electrochemical data were obtained. I also examined the formation of nickel hydride species by the reaction of Ni(ll) complexes with hydrogen as well as with formate.
