Electrochemical evidence for catalytic water oxidation mediated by a high-valent cobalt complex

Abstract

The pH-dependent electrochemical behavior for a Co(II) complex, [Co(Py5)(OH(2))](ClO(4))(2) (1; Py5 = 2,6-(bis(bis-2-pyridyl)methoxymethane)pyridine), indicates consecutive (proton-coupled) oxidation steps furnish a Co(IV) species that catalyzes the oxidation of water in basic media.