Electrochemical Oxidation of Water to Dioxygen Catalyzed by the Oxidized Form of the Bis(ruthenium – hydroxo) Complex in H2O

Abstract

A structural model of the O2-evolving center in photosystem II is provided by complex 1. The two ruthenium – hydroxo units in the complex play a key role in the oxidation of water to O2. Deposition of the complex on an indium – tin-oxide electrode has enabled 15.0 mL of O2 (turnover 6730) to be evolved from the controlled-potential electrolysis of water at +1.7 V.