Tuning the overpotential of electrocatalytically active cyclopentadienylnickel complexes containing 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadienes (DAB) for proton reduction

Abstract

The complexes [CpNi(DAB)]BF₄, Cp = cyclopentadienyl, DAB = substituted 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadienes, undergo two reduction processes. EPR spectroscopically active Ni(I) intermediates were observed despite the potential redox activity of the DAB ligands and these reduced species catalyse the conversion of electrons and protons (from acetic acid) into dihydrogen.