The development of cheaper alternatives to platinum catalysts for the production of hydrogen has gained a lot of attention for economical, environmental, and sustainability reasons. Our research is focused on preparation and characterization of diiron-carbonyl complexes designed to model the structure and function of the active site of the efficient hydrogen producing [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase enzyme. Though the hydrogenase models reported are effective electrocatalysts for the reduction of proton to molecular hydrogen, they are generally unstable (decompose upon reduction) resulting in lower catalytic efficiency. To explore the effect of structural features on the electrochemical stability of these models, we have prepared and characterized a series of diiron-carbonyl compounds coupled to polyaromatic thiolate ligands. The structures of the compounds have been examined using X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy (IR, UV-visible and NMR). The stability and catalytic activity of the compounds have been explored using cyclic voltammetry and the results will be presented. The role of different structural parameters on the stability and electrochemical properties of the models will be discussed.

[Fe-Fe] Hydrogenase models: Exploring structure-stability relationships

245th National Meeting (2013)

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