NHC based Transition Metal Catalysts for Water Oxidation

Abstract

NHC-based iron catalysts for water splitting are significantly less investigated since the development of iron-based catalysts began in 2010. Most of the catalysts reported previously were ruthenium and iridium based, but their abundance and the cost hinder its application to artificial photosynthesis devices. In transition metals iron is one of the most abundant, cheap, and redox-active metal that is ideal for water oxidation. NHC ligand complexes are stable under normal conditions, and they can be easily fine-tuned with 3d transition metals. Here I am investigating iron catalysts for water splitting reaction for both the half cell reactions HER (Hydrogen Evolution Reaction) as well as OER (Oxygen Evolution Reaction). I have synthesized stable complexes of the type [(NHC)FeCl3]. Previously reported [Fe(IPr)Cl3](HIPr) (2) complex with modified procedure and the new complex [Fe(CAAC)Cl3](HCAAC) (3) here I have also reported a straightforward method to synthesize three coordinated abnormal NHC iron complex [(aIPr)Fe{NSiMe3}2] which is highly reactive than normal NHC complex that can be explored further for reactivity studies and in catalysis.