Jordan and Smith suggested in 1960 that the initial step of CO2 reduction involves forming a "CO2¯" anion via initial electron transfer. However, the standard potential for (CO2)¯ formation is exceptionally high-at-1.90 V in an aqueous electrolyte. If Jordan's proposal is correct, the potential for CO2 reduction to useful products must be -1.90 V or more negative. Yet, most products can be generated at comparatively lower potentials in a common aqueous electrolyte. For instance, Kuhl et al. discovered that 16 different products can be created at an applied potential of -1V in a 0.1 M KHCO3 aqueous electrolyte. This finding suggests that the actual process of reducing CO2 into various valuable products may not necessitate the formation of (CO2)¯.