Carbon dioxide reduction using transition-metal complexes

We have been investigating the thermodynamics and kinetics of CO ₂ binding and reduction using transition-metal complexes for over two decades. We believe the solar generation of fuels (stored in the form of chemical bonds such as CO, formate, methanol, etc. from CO ₂) as an essential solution for CO ₂ utilization, yet sunlight-driven CO ₂ reduction to C1 fuels remains a formidable problem. We will identify several barriers for the efficient production of solar fuels and hope to stimulate research in this field. Selective topics of our recent investigations will also be presented. The research carried out at Brookhaven National Laboratory was supported under contract DE-AC02-98CH10886 with the U.S. Department of Energy and supported by its Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, & Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences.