As our global population grows, our need for innovative energy sources also grows. One new energy source can be found through the use of artificial photosynthesis to produce hydrogen gas. We are currently investigating the effectiveness of nickel complexes with thiosalen ligands, specifically [Ni(tsalen)], [Ni(tsalphen)], and [Ni(tsaltol)] (tsalen=N,N'-ethylenebis( thiosalicylideneimine); tsalphen=N,N'-phenylene-bis(thiosalicylideneimine); tsaltol=4-methyl-1,2-phenylene-bis(thiosalicylideneimine)), acting as catalysts for artificial photosynthethesis. Hydrogen production has been measured electro-catalytically and photocatalytically. Hydrogen production was measured in light driven systems with [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and ascorbic acid to yield turnover numbers as high as 270. In an effort to reduce the overpotential of these complexes, we have explored adding trifluoromethyl groups to different positions on the phenyl rings. These complexes were shifted more positively about 100 mV relative to the unsubstituted analog. We evaluated all of these for hydrogen production. Select complexes have also been investigated with computational methods to determine frontier molecular orbitals and reduction potentials.

Thiosalen nickel complexes as light driven proton reduction catalysts

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.