NEW IRON(II) CHELATE

REDOX PROPERTIES, pH EFFECTS, ELECTROCATALYTIC REDUCTION OF OXYGEN

Abstract

Redox properties of the complex [Fe^IIL₁]²⁺ [L₁=1-(6-(2, 2'-bipyridyl))-2-(6-(3'-(5', 6'-diphenyl-1', 2', 4'-triazyl))-2-pyridyl)-ethane] have been studied in DMF +0.1M TBAP. The protic acidity of the solution had very significant effects on the first reduction mechanism and its energetics, providing a metal/ligand switch for the electron transfer to the complex. In acidic medium, the first reduction of [Fe^IIL₁]²⁺ triggered an effective electrocatalytic four electron reduction of O₂ to H₂O.