Electrocatalytic hydrogen generation by a trithiolato-bridged dimanganese hexacarbonyl anion with a turnover frequency exceeding 40 000 s−1

Abstract

An unusual ionic manganese model complex [Mn(bpy)₃]⁺[(CO)₃Mn(μ-SPh)₃Mn(CO)₃]⁻(bpy: 2,2′-bipyridine) has been synthesized, which bears some structural resemblance to the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenase. An overpotential of 0.61 V has been determined for the electrocatalytic proton reduction using this complex in CH₃CN with CF₃COOH as the proton source. A turnover frequency of 44 600 s⁻¹ is achieved at high scan rates and in the presence of a large amount of acid.