Cyclic voltammetric and spectrophotometric investigation of the catalytic reduction of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113) by electrogenerated cobalt(I) salen in dimethylformamide saturated with carbon dioxide

► Cobalt(I) salen-catalyzed reduction of CFC-113 occurs in a CO2-saturated medium. ► Interaction between cobalt(I) salen and CO2 preserves the fidelity of this catalyst. ► Chlorotrifluoroethene is reduced by cobalt(I) salen in a CO2-saturated medium. ► CFC-113 reduction by cobalt(I) salen involves four electrons in CO2-saturated DMF.