The generation of solar fuels – a promising way to store and transport solar energy is currently afforded by complex multi-component systems based on noble metals.1 Only a few examples of earth-abundant systems are known, almost exclusively involving two different metal complexes acting as photosensitizer and catalyst.2 We have examined complexes based on the Mabiq (macrocyclic biquinazoline) ligand, as a platform developing photocatalysts using earth-abundant metals. The unique scaffold provided by the Mabiq ligand offers two distinct coordination sites, and unique photochemical properties. A series of binuclear Mabiq complexes was synthesized and will be described, including formal CuICuI- and CuICuII-Mabiq compounds. Using X-ray diffraction as well as electrochemical and spectroscopic methods, the interaction between the two metal ions was examined. The bimetallic complexes are stable in solution and the two metals appear to be only weakly coupled. The outer metal site only moderately influences the properties and behavior of the metal in the macrocycle. The electronic structures and photoreactivity of the compounds will be discussed.

Bimetallic Mabiq complexes for photocatalysis using earth abundant metals

256th National Meeting (2018)

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