High-valent metal-oxo intermediates in energy demanding processes: from dioxygen reduction to water splitting

- Water oxidation and dioxygen reduction are important in fuel cell technology.
- Role of metal-oxo cores as vital intermediates in these reactions is reviewed.
- Subtle electronic changes can drastically affect the metal-oxo reactivity.
- Metal-hydroperoxo acts as a metal-oxo precursor during dioxygen reduction.
- Possible role of calcium in dioxygen release during water oxidation is discussed.