Stoichiometric H2 production from H2O upon Mn2(CO)10 photolysis

Photolysis of Mn2(CO)10 in an alkane/water biphasic system has resulted in the generation of 1.80 ± 0.16 mol of hydrogen per mol of Mn2(CO)10. Various studies including deuteration have indeed shown water to be the H2 source while kinetic studies have indicated a strong correlation between the concentration of the key intermediate MnH(CO)5 with the production rate of H2. Some of the oxygen atoms of water have been incorporated into a white solid assigned to MnCO3. A mechanism accounting for MnH(CO)5 formation from Mn2(CO)10 photolysis and subsequently H2 production from MnH(CO)5 has been proposed.

Graphical abstractPhotolysis of Mn2(CO)10 in an alkane/water biphasic system has resulted in the near-stoichiometric generation of hydrogen (180 ± 16% yield wrt Mn2(CO)10). The generation of H2 from H2O proceeds via the key intermediate Mn(CO)5H.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Photolysis of Mn2(CO)10 in alkane/water biphasic system generated H2. ► The source of H2 is H2O and is generated via the Mn(CO)5H intermediate. ► The oxygen in H2O has been incorporated as MnCO3.