A water-soluble iron electrocatalyst for water oxidation with high TOF

• The reaction of FeCl3 with [12]N4 (L) affords an iron(III) complex, [LFeCl2]Cl (1).
• Structure of 1 is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
• Complex 1 can catalyze water oxidation with a turnover frequency of 65 s−1.
• Sustained water oxidation catalysis over a 36 h electrolysis period with 91.5% Faradaic yield.

The reaction of anhydrous FeCl3 and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (L) affords an iron(III) complex, [LFeCl2]Cl (1), a new molecular electrocatalyst, which has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies indicate that the catalyst is the first water-soluble molecular species, that is among the most rapid homogeneous water oxidation catalysts, with a turnover frequency of ∼65 s−1. Sustained water oxidation catalysis occurs at ITO electrode to give O2 over a 36 h electrolysis period with 91.5% Faradaic yield and no observable decomposition of the catalyst.

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