Synthesis, structure and electrolytic properties of a dinuclear cobalt(III) complex with amine-bis(phenolate) ligands

•Reaction of CoCl2·6H2O and amine-bis(phenolate) ligand (H2L) affords a cobalt(III) complex [L2Co2Cl2] 1.•Its structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography.•1 catalyzes hydrogen evolution from buffer with TOF of 270.03 mol/h at OP of 687.6 mV.

Reaction of 2-pyridylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4,6-difluorophenol) (H2L) with CoCl2·6H2O produces a new dinuclear complex, [L2Co2Cl2] 1, which has been determined characterized by X-ray crystallography. 1 can electrocatalyze hydrogen evolution from phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 270.03 mol of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour at an overpotential (OP) of 687.6 mV.

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