Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production by an Aluminum(III) Complex: Ligand‐Based Proton and Electron Transfer. Issue 40 (6th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thompson, Emily J.; Berben, Louise A.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 54:Issue 40(2015)
• Page Start: 11642
• Page End: 11646
• Publication Date: 2015-08-06
• Subjects: aluminum -- electrocatalysis -- hydrogen evolution -- N ligands -- redox‐active ligands; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201503935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Environmentally sustainable hydrogen‐evolving electrocatalysts are key in a renewable fuel economy, and ligand‐based proton and electron transfer could circumvent the need for precious metal ions in electrocatalytic H2 production. Herein, we show that electrocatalytic generation of H2 by a redox‐active ligand complex of Al 3+ occurs at −1.16 V vs. SCE (500 mV overpotential). Abstract : Two in one : Proton and electron transfer by a complex comprising Al 3+ and a redox‐active iminopyridine ligand promotes electrocatalytic H2 evolution. The Al 3+ center brings the reduction potential of the ligand into an accessible range for low‐overpotential proton production. The proposed mechanism involves two protonation events at the ligand and a subsequent two‐electron reduction to liberate hydrogen (see figure).