A NEW HOMOGENEOUS ELECTROCATALYST FOR THE REDUCTION OF CARBON-DIOXIDETO METHANOL AT LOW OVERPOTENTIAL

The pyridinium ion is found to be a novel homogeneous catalyst for the reduction of CO2 to methanol. Although the reduction of protons to di hydrogen competes with methanol formation, methanol faradaic yields of up to 30% have been observed at hydrogenated Pd electrodes. The forme r reaction occurs both directly at the electrode surface and also by t he reduction of the reduced pyridinium species to form pyridine and hy drogen. The salient feature of this system is that the reduction of CO 2 proceeds at low overpotentials.