A Comparison of Pyridazine and Pyridine as Electrocatalysts for the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

The electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol is explored by the direct comparison of protonated pyridazine and pyridine for their capabilities towards CO2 reduction. The two materials inherit a significant difference in their pKa values adding valuable information to the ongoing discussion on the nature of CO2 reduction catalyzed by pyridinium and similar nitrogen containing heteroaromatic systems. Cyclic voltammetry studies as well as bulk controlled-potential electrolysis experiments were performed combined with product analysis using gas chromatography. Methanol was detected as main CO2 reduction product in all cases.