Unexpected ligand effect on the catalytic reaction rate acceleration for hydrogen production using biomimetic nickel electrocatalysts with 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctanes

The two new nickel electrocatalysts with cyclic 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane have been obtained. The unexpected high catalytic activity has been observed for nickel complex with o-Py substituent at phosphorus atom vs. Ph in hydrogen evolution. Also the bulky benzhydryl substituent at nitrogen atom contributes of increasing of TOF's values.