Over the next century, the world’s population is expected to increase at a drastic rate; therefore, it is essential to consider new and more efficient sources of energy such as the use of artificial photosynthesis to generate hydrogen gas. Hence, the development of more active and robust catalysts is necessary in order to make artificial photosynthesis a viable method of hydrogen generation. 5,6-dihydrothieno[2,3-d]-1,3-dithiol-2-one (a-dpdt) is a promising ligand due to its electronic similarity to previously used ligands for cobalt catalyzed hydrogen production. Dithiothiophenes have not been investigated for hydrogen production. Cyclic voltammetry experiments on [PPh4][Co(a-dpdt)2] showed reversible redox waves at -0.66 V vs. Fc+/Fc. In the presence of acetic acid, a catalytic wave corresponding to hydrogen was observed at -2.1 V vs. Fc+/Fc. Hydrogen production at an optimized pH of 4.15 was observed under light-driven conditions with [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and ascorbic acid, yielding turnover numbers as high as 300.

Cobalt complex with dithiothiophene ligand for the light driven production of H2

2019 Spring National Meeting

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