Hydrogen Evolution Catalyzed by an Iron Polypyridyl Complex in Aqueous Solutions

• DOI: 10.1021/ic500069c
• Publication Date: 2014-05-21T12:16:29Z
• Authors: G. P. Connor; K. J. Mayer; C. S. Tribble; W. R. McNamara
• Keywords: Overpotential; Turnover number

Iron complexes containing tetradentate monophenolate ligands have been found to be highly active for the electrocatalytic reduction of protons hydrogen gas. Catalysis occurs at −1.17 V vs SCE in CH3CN with a turnover frequency up 1000 s–1 and 660 mV overpotential. Interestingly, catalyst activity is enhanced presence water, achieving frequencies 3000 an overpotential 800 mV, making it one most iron electrocatalysts currently reported. The also capable generating from purely aqueous buffer solutions pH 3–5 Faradaic efficiencies 98%.