The photogeneration of dihydrogen from water catalysed by thin films of tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) derivatives

Abstract

Irradiation with u.v.–visible light of a surface-active tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) derivative initially deposited as a supported monolayer on a glass slide and immersed in water produced dihydrogen; this process was accompanied by the migration of the ruthenium complex to another site within the experimental configuration; it redeposited onto the PTFE slide holder; this newly formed coating continued to act as an active catalyst; turnover numbers (H/Ru)of ca. 1400 were obtained after 260 h of irradiation.