Over the next century, the world’s population is expected to increase at a drastic rate; therefore it is essential to consider new and more efficient sources of energy such as the use of artificial photosynthesis to generate hydrogen gas. Hence, the development of more active and robust catalysts is necessary in order to make artificial photosynthesis a viable method of hydrogen generation. Recent studies have shown that metal complexes with redox non-innocent ligands and pendant base groups are highly active for proton reduction. To incorporate these two features, we used the 1,1'-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)ethan-1-imine (EtPyPDI) ligand with nickel(II). X-ray crystallography reveals that this ligand forms an octahedral coordination environment around the nickel ion. Cyclic voltammetry experiments showed reversible redox waves at -0.91 and -1.78 V vs Fc+/Fc. In the presence of acetic acid, a catalytic wave corresponding to hydrogen formation was observed at -2.11 V vs Fc+/Fc. Hydrogen production was observed also produced in a light-driven system using Ru(bpy)32+ and ascorbic acid achieving turn-over numbers of 1400.

Nickel complex with pyridinediimine ligands bearing pendant base for light-driven hydrogen production

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.