Catalytic Water Oxidation by a Molecular Ruthenium Complex: Unexpected Generation of a Single-Site Water Oxidation Catalyst

摘要: The increasing energy demand calls for the development of sustainable conversion processes. Here, splitting H2O to O2 and H2, or related fuels, constitutes an excellent example solar-to-fuel schemes. critical component in such schemes has proven be catalyst responsible mediating four-electron oxidation O2. Herein, we report on unexpected formation a single-site Ru complex from ligand envisioned accommodate two metal centers. Surprising N–N bond cleavage designed dinuclear during complexation resulted carrying carboxylate–amide motif. This lowered redox potential sufficiently permit carried out by mild one-electron oxidant [Ru(bpy)3]3+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine). work thus highlights that strongly electron-donating ligands are important elements design novel, efficient catalysts.