Electrocatalytic CO reduction to formate by a cobalt phosphino-thiolate complex.

Electrochemical conversion of CO to value-added products serves as an attractive method to store renewable energy as energy-dense fuels. Selectivity in this type of conversion can be limited, often leading to the formation of side products such as H. The activity of a cobalt phosphino-thiolate complex ([Co(triphos)(bdt)]) towards the selective reduction of CO to formate is explored in this report.