Ab initio study on the binding of carbon dioxide to cobalt salen complex

Metal-organic complexes, such as metal-Schiff bases, can function as catalysts for electrochemical reduction. In this work we present first principles electronic structure calculations for the adduct formation involving carbon dioxide (CO2) and cobalt salen [Co(salen)] complex. Binding energy calculations show that carbon dioxide forms a stable adduct with [Co(salen)]⁻ complex. The bonding between carbon dioxide and the cobalt metal center involves back-bonding mainly between the metal dz2 orbital and the π* orbital of CO2.