Azo-conjugated half-sandwich Rh/Ru complexes for homogeneous water-oxidation catalysis

Abstract

Herein we report the molecular structures and electronic properties of ionic, hydrophobic, half-sandwich complexes of the formula [η⁵-Cp*Rh(L)(MeOH)] (1) and [η⁶-CyRu(L)(H₂O)] (2), where L is azo-dye compound of (p-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylazo)benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt). Both these complexes have been investigated electrochemically and found to display good electronic properties for use as water-oxidation catalysts potentially.