Rational in situ tuning of a supramolecular photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

A new heterodinuclear ruthenium platinum complex containing an N-heterocyclic carbene bridging ligand was synthesised and used for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The molecular integrity of the unit was proven by mercury poisoning and the lability of terminal halido ligands verified with ESI-MS. In situ ligand exchange enhances the catalytic performance leading to an almost 500-fold increase in the turnover frequency and a significantly improved overall turnover number.