Spraying Water Microdroplets Containing 1,2,3-Triazole Converts Carbon Dioxide into Formic Acid

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Sep 21;144(37):16744-16748. doi: 10.1021/jacs.2c07779. Epub 2022 Sep 8.

Abstract

We report the use of 1,2,3-triazole (Tz)-containing water microdroplets for gas-phase carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction at room temperature. Using a coaxial sonic spraying setup, the CO2 can be efficiently captured by Tz and converted to formic acid (HCOOH; FA) at the gas-liquid interface (GLI). A mass spectrometer operated in negative ion mode monitors the capture of CO2 to form the bicarbonate anion (HCO3-) and conversion to form the formate anion (HCOO-). Varied FA species were successfully identified by MS/MS experiments including the formate monomer ([FA - H]-, m/z 45), the dimer ([2FA - H]-, m/z 91; [2FA + Na - 2H]-, m/z 113), the trimer ([3FA - H]-, m/z 137), and some other adducts (such as [FA - H + H2CO3]-, m/z 107; [2FA + Na - 2H + Tz]-, m/z 182). The reaction conditions were systematically optimized to make the maximum conversion yield reach over 80% with an FA concentration of approximately 71 ± 3.1 μM. The mechanism for the reaction is speculated to be that Tz donates the proton and the hydroxide (OH-) at the GLI, resulting in a stepwise yield of electrons to reduce gas-phase CO2 to FA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bicarbonates
  • Carbon Dioxide*
  • Formates
  • Hydroxides
  • Protons
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Triazoles
  • Water*

Substances

  • Bicarbonates
  • Formates
  • Hydroxides
  • Protons
  • Triazoles
  • Water
  • formic acid
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • hydroxide ion