DOE OSTI2015
Formamidinate-bridged Rh 2 II,II complexes containing diimine ligands of the formula cis-[Rh 2 II,II (μ-DTolF) 2 (NN) 2 ] 2+ (Rh 2 -NN 2 ), where DTolF = p-ditolylformamidinate and NN = dppn (benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-h]quinoxaline), dppz (dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine), and phen (1,10-phenanthroline), electrocatalytically reduce H + to H 2 in DMF solutions containing CH 3 COOH at a glassy carbon electrode. Cathodic scans in the absence of acid display a Rh III,II/II,II reduction at -0.90 V vs Fc + /Fc followed by NN 0 /– reduction at -1.13, -1.36, and -1.65 V for Rh 2 -dppn 2 , Rh 2 -dppz 2 , and Rh 2 -phen 2 , respectively. Upon the addition of acid, Rh 2 -dppn 2 and Rh 2 -dppz 2 undergo reduction–protonation–reduction at each pyrazine-containing NN ligand prior to the Rh 2 II,II/II,I reduction. The Rh 2 II,I species is thus protonated at one of the metal centers, resulting in the formation of the corresponding Rh 2 II,III -hydride. In the case of Rh 2 -phen 2 , the reduction of the phen ligand is followed by intramolecular electron transfer to the Rh 2 II,II core in the presence of protons to form a Rh 2 II,III -hydride species. Further reduction and protonation at the Rh 2 core for all three complexes rapidly catalyzes H 2 formation with varied calculated turnover frequencies (TOF) and overpotential values (η): 2.6 × 10 4 s –1 and 0.56 V for Rh 2 -dppn, 2.8 × 10 4 s –1 and 0.50 V for Rh 2 -dppz 2 , and 5.9 × 10 4 s –1 and 0.64 V for Rh 2 -phen 2 . Bulk electrolysis confirmed H 2 formation, and further CH 3 COOH addition regenerates H 2 production, attesting to the robust nature of the architecture. The cis-[Rh 2 II,II (μ-DTolF) 2 (NN) 2 ] 2+ architecture benefits by combining electron-rich formamidinate bridges, a redox-active Rh 2 II,II core, and electron-accepting NN diimine ligands to allow for the electrocatalysis of H + substrate to H 2 fuel.