Renewable fuel production using electrocatalytic main group metal complexes in aqueous solutions would avoid the use of organic solvents and expensive transition metals, and contribute to new reaction pathways accessible using main group ions. By using redox-active ligands bound to typically redox inert main group metals such as gallium or aluminum, we have previously been able to show these complexes can act as electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. In this work, I will present a redox active series of four octahedral gallium complexes, using a new bis(imino)pyridine ligand OMeI2P. This ligand can hold up to two electrons, resulting in four different oxidation states for the overall complex when two ligands bind to a Ga(III) metal center. The synthesis and characterization of the complexes by Cyclic Voltammetry, 1H NMR and X-ray crystallography will be discussed. The mixed valent complex, (OMeI2P-)(OMeI2P2-)Ga, will be highlighted in this talk: its stability in aqueous solutions and its ability to act as a hydrogen-evolving electrocatalyst under acidic conditions in pure organic systems and mixed organic: aqueous solutions.

Redox series of gallium complexes: Characterization of four oxidation states and electrocatalytic hydrogen production by a Ga(III) complex in water

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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