| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300137 | Coordination Chemistry Reviews | 2012 | 8 Pages |
Recently, Nocera and coworkers claim that an “artificial leaf” – able to harvest up to 4.7% of incident photonic energy to split water and produce fuels using only Earth abundant elements – has been produced with much of its design inspired by photosynthetic elements [1]. In this short review, we compare the structure and function of the cobalt-based water oxidation center of the artificial leaf with what is known about the manganese-based oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII). The geometric structure, proposed oxidation state topology, and putative mechanism of water oxidation for the respective catalytic sites are discussed.
► The base unit of the Co-OEC structural motif mimics the OEC in PSII. ► Spectroscopic findings evince that the resting state is of a Co(III)/Co(IV) nature. ► Interlayer buffers facilitate water splitting through a charge balance mechanism.
