PNNL

Abstract

A series of dipeptide nickel complexes with the general formula, [Ni(PPh2NNNA-amino acid/ester2)2](BF4)2, have been synthesized and characterized (P2N2= 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane, amino acid/esters = glutamic acid, alanine, lysine, and aspartic acid). Each of these complexes is an efficient electrocatalyst for H2 production. The contribution of the outer-coordination sphere, specifically the impact of sterics, the ability to protonate and the pKa of amino acid side chain on the hydrogen production activity of these complexes, was investigated. The rates of all of the catalysts ranged over an order of magnitude. The amino acid containing complexes display 2-3 times higher rates of hydrogen production than the corresponding ester complexes, suggesting the significance of protonated species (side chains/backbone of amino acids) in the outer-coordination sphere. The largest had the fastest rates suggesting that catalytic activity is not hindered by sterics. However, the shapes of catalytic waves are indicative of hindered electron transfer and may suggest a competing mechanism for catalysis than that observed for the unsubstituted parent complex. These studies demonstrate the significant contribution that the outer-coordination sphere can have in tuning the catalytic activity of small molecule hydrogenase mimics. This work was funded by the US DOE Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geoscience and Biosciences Division and the Office of Science Early Career Research Program through the Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy.