Conclusion and outlook In this chapter, our goal was to explore the impact of different substituents at the C4 and C5 positions on the performance of CO2 activation. We observed that while comparing functionalities within the same family, such as MM and TetraMe, yielded straightforward results, the behavior of cations with substituents from different functional families, including alkyls, halides, and phenyls, varied significantly. This variation can be attributed to the high sensitivity of the electrocatalytic reaction to the immediate environment within the electric double layer. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the performance of CO2 activation, a systematic synthetic approach is required. For instance, within the phenyl substituent family, comparing different substituents at the para positions could provide valuable insights. Additionally, for highly electron-poor cations like 1,3-dimethyl-4,5dichloro imidazolium, it is possible to observe changes in the mechanistic pathway. In summary, when considering the impact of substituents, the following points should be considered: Figure 4.10. Electrolysis at -1 mA/cm2 with 0.5 mol% MM-NTf2 (red) and DiCl-NTf2 (brown) for CO2 reduction in anhydrous acetonitrile.
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