New Catalysts for the Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

We have recently introduced corrole metal complexes (metallocorroles) as catalysts for various reactions, including those that are of prime importance for water splitting into its elements- the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. A careful choice of substituents on the corrole ligand and the kind of metal ion chelated by them allows for lowering of the electrocatalytic overpotential and increasing reactivity.

 An arsenal of electrochemical and spectroscopic methodologies, which in the case of metallocorroles is very rich, was applied for acquiring highly valuable information about the mechanisms of action (see upper part of the Figure for the hydrogen evolution reaction). Preliminary results regarding water oxidation with the aid of immobilized catalysts (see lower part of the Figure) will be presented as well.

 REFERENCES

 “Cobalt Corrole Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction from H₂O under Ambient Conditions: Reactivity, Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations”, Inorg. Chem. 2013, 52, 3381-3387.

"The Cobalt Corrole Catalyzed Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Surprising Electronic Effects and Characterization of Key Reaction Intermediates" Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 2725-2727.