Electrocatalytic H2 evolution promoted by a bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(ii) complex

Abstract

A bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) electrocatalyst is reported that produces H₂ from CF₃CO₂H with a turnover frequency (TOF) of ∼1250 s⁻¹ at low acid concentration (<0.043 M) in MeCN. A mechanism for the H₂ production by this electrocatalyst is proposed and its activity is benchmarked against those of other reported molecular Ni H₂ evolution electrocatalysts. The involvement of a hemilabile pyridyl group of the N2S2 ligand is proposed to mimic the role of a cysteine residue involved in the biological proton reduction performed by [NiFe] hydrogenases.