Front Cover: In situ X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy in Homogeneous Conditions Reveals Interactions Between CO₂ and a Doubly and Triply Reduced Iron(III) Porphyrin, then Leading to Catalysis (ChemCatChem 7/2023)

The Front Cover shows the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals as an attractive solution to store electrical energy, while taking advantage of CO2 being a widespread feedstock. However, fundamental knowledge is lacking to understand and optimize this electrocatalytic process. In their Research Article, D. Mendoza et al. describe how CO2 interacts with iron tetraphenylporphyrin (FeTPP), a well-known molecular catalyst for the conversion of this gas into carbon monoxide. The authors use Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy to describe the local and electronic structure of FeTPP in a homogeneous solution in four of its oxidation states. With this technique, direct evidence was provided to show that, when reduced by three electrons, CO2 binds to the central iron atom of FeTPP before the catalytic transformation. More information can be found in the Research Article by D. Mendoza et al.