Redox-active copper triangles as an enzymatic molecular flask for light-driven hydrogen production

Abstract

A positively charged redox-active metal–organic triangle containing three redox-active copper centres was developed to encapsulate anionic organic dyes (fluorescein) through a weak host–guest interaction for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The unique geometry enforces a distorted square planar coordination suitable for proton reduction. Control experiments with a mononuclear copper complex as a reference photocatalyst and inactive ATP as an inhibitor were performed to confirm this enzymatic photocatalytic behaviour.