Copper(ii) defect-cubane water oxidation electrocatalysts: from molecular tetramers to oxidic nanostructures†
Devi Prasad
Adiyeri Saseendran, 
a
Jörg W. A.
Fischer,
b
Daniel F.
Abbott,
b
Victor
Mougel,
b
Gunnar
Jeschke,
b
Carlos A.
Triana
a
and
Greta R.
Patzke
*a
a
Jörg W. A.
Fischer,
b
Daniel F.
Abbott,
b
Victor
Mougel,
b
Gunnar
Jeschke,
b
Carlos A.
Triana
a
and
Greta R.
Patzke
*a
Abstract
We report on the synthesis and spectroscopic evidence for a sequence of structural transformations of a new defect-cubane type copper complex, [Cu4(pyalk)4(OAc)4](ClO4)(HNEt3), which acts as a pre-catalyst for water oxidation. In situ and post-catalytic studies showed that the tetrameric complex undergoes a structural transformation into dimeric and monomeric species, induced by water molecules and carbonate anions, respectively. Further, the observed electrocatalytic water oxidation activity has been confirmed to arise from in situ-generated Cu(II) oxidic nanostructures at the electrode interface.
- This article is part of the themed collection: 2023 Pioneering Investigators
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