Identification of the Cr(v)O intermediate in electrocatalytic water oxidation by a chromium(iii)–aqua complex

Abstract

A new molecular chromium(III)–aqua catalyst for homogeneous electrocatalytic water oxidation reactions is presented. The key high-oxidation-state Cr(V)–oxo intermediate of water oxidation was identified by HR-MS, EPR, and in situ spectroelectrochemistry. Based on DFT calculation, a possible catalytic cycle via a WNA pathway was proposed for water oxidation.