Cobalt corroles with phosphonic acid pendants as catalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution from neutral aqueous solution

Abstract

Cobalt corroles with different acid/base pendants, L^Br-Co, L^COOH-Co, L^PO(OH)₂-Co, and L^{CH₂PO(OH)₂}-Co (L = 5,15-bis-(pentafluorophenyl)-10-(4-dibenzofuran)corrole), were synthesized and examined as catalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution from neutral aqueous solutions. Co corroles with phosphonic acid pendants showed improved activities in both processes, highlighting the importance of the secondary coordination sphere in catalyst design.