Transition metal complexes can be employed as water splitting catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. Previously, our group has reported the synthesis of PPQ-based Co(II), Fe(III) and Ru(II) metal-organic complexes that exhibit catalytic activity for water splitting. PPQ (1, 2-(pyrid-2'-yl)-8-(1'',10''-phenanthrolin-2''-yl)-quinoline)) presents an approximate square-planar tetradentate polypyridine geometry. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new series of PPQ-related ligands (2-4) and the catalytic behavior of their corresponding metal-organic complexes. This series of polypyridine ligands consists of building blocks similar to those found in PPQ (pyridine, phenanthroline, quinoline) but exhibiting different binding motifs to the metal ion: different cavity size and different rigidity. Based on the catalytic properties of these newly developed metal-organic complexes, we will discuss the role of the chelating ligand bite angle, the correlation between catalyst structure and catalyst performance, and the potential improvement of catalyst performance via appropriate ligand structure modification.

Tetradentate polypyridine transition metal complexes as water splitting catalysts

255th National Meeting (2018)

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