A synthetic approach has been followed to help better understand factors that will lead to a more effective water oxidation catalyst. Three types of mononuclear Ru catalyst have been examined: complexes of 2,6-di(1',8'-naphthyrid-2'-yl)pyridine (1a-c) having two monodentate axial pyridines and an H-bonded water; [Ru(bpy)(tpy)X]+ (2a-d, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, tpy = 2,2';6',2''-terpyridine, X = halogen or other monodentate); and Ru bound to an equatorial tetradentate and two axial monodentates (3a-c).  Both the rate and the stability of these catalysts are evaluated by using Ce(IV) as a sacrificial oxidant. The mechanistic implications of these studies will be presented.

Designing more efficient water oxidation catalysts based on mononuclear Ru(II) complexes

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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