Mononuclear Copper Complex-Catalyzed Four-Electron Reduction of Oxygen

Abstract

A mononuclear Cu(II) complex acts as an efficient catalyst for four-electron reduction of O(2) to H(2)O. Its reduction by a ferrocene derivative (Fc*) and reaction with O(2) leads to the formation of a peroxodicopper(II) complex; this is subsequently reduced by Fc* in the presence of protons to regenerate the Cu(II) complex.