The need for more sustainable electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has motivated us to explore complexes containing first-row transition metals, which are more abundant and much less expensive than the platinum normally used for this application. Although iron and cobalt complexes with a variety of ligand scaffolds have been able to electrocatalytically reduce molecular oxygen, few of these contain electron-proton transfer mediating groups that may improve both the efficiency and selectivity of the ORR. Here, we report a cobalt(II) complex bearing a pendent quinol group. The compound is an effective electrocatalyst, with overpotential values comparable to those of platinum-containing heterogeneous ORR catalysts.

Co(II) complex with a redox-active organic ligand acts as an electrocatalyst for the reduction of dioxygen

ACS Spring 2022

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