Synthesis, structure and electrocatalytic properties of a water‐soluble copper complex supported by 2‐ethyl‐2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)propane‐1,3‐diol ligand

Abstract

The reaction of 2‐ethyl‐2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)propane‐1,3‐diol (H3L) with CuCl2⋅2H2O affords a new copper complex, [ClCu(H2L)], which has been determined using X‐ray crystallography. In the solid, copper atom is four‐coordinated by two oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom from the ligand and one chlorine atom. Electrochemical studies show that the complex can act as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution from a dimethylformamide solution of acetic acid and a neutral buffer (pH = 7.0) with a turnover frequency of 46.2 and 482 moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour at an overpotential of 941.6 and 837.6 mV, respectively.

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution by a dinuclear copper complex and mechanistic elucidation through DFT studies

“…The plateau wave denoted the diffusion-controlled system of H + over the surface of glassy carbon as the working electrode during the catalysis. 24 The onset potential for the system was found to be −1.21 V vs . SCE.…”

“…The plateau wave denoted the diffusion-controlled system of H + over the surface of glassy carbon as the working electrode during the catalysis. 24 The onset potential for the system was found to be −1.21 V vs. SCE. On subsequent addition of CH 3 COOH, systematic escalation in catalytic current towards the cathodic direction was observed until 30-equivalents of CH 3 COOH, as shown in Fig.…”