Electrocatalytic H2 evolution promoted by a bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) complex

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Jan 25;58(8):1143-1146. doi: 10.1039/d1cc05139c.

Abstract

A bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) electrocatalyst is reported that produces H2 from CF3CO2H with a turnover frequency (TOF) of ∼1250 s-1 at low acid concentration (<0.043 M) in MeCN. A mechanism for the H2 production by this electrocatalyst is proposed and its activity is benchmarked against those of other reported molecular Ni H2 evolution electrocatalysts. The involvement of a hemilabile pyridyl group of the N2S2 ligand is proposed to mimic the role of a cysteine residue involved in the biological proton reduction performed by [NiFe] hydrogenases.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nickel / chemistry*

Substances

  • Coordination Complexes
  • Nickel
  • Hydrogen