An Intramolecular Cobalt-Peptoid Complex as an Effective Catalyst for Light-Driven Water Oxidation at pH 7

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy
• Bioinorganic Chemistry

Background:

• The global energy crisis necessitates clean, renewable fuel sources.
• Efficient water splitting for hydrogen production is a key challenge.
• Developing synthetic catalysts for water oxidation (WO) at neutral pH remains difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a stable, efficient molecular catalyst for light-driven water oxidation (WO) at neutral pH.
• To investigate the catalytic activity of a bioinspired cobalt-peptoid complex.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a bioinspired intramolecular cobalt-peptoid complex (CoTBE).
• Performed light-driven WO in phosphate buffer at pH 7.
• Employed a photosensitizer, sacrificial electron acceptor, and blue LED irradiation (1.5 mW/cm²).

Main Results:

• CoTBE demonstrated stable and efficient molecular catalysis for light-driven WO.
• Achieved a maximal turnover number of approximately 51 within 45 minutes.
• The catalyst's activity at pH 7 was facilitated by an ethanol group acting as a proton shuttle.

Conclusions:

• The bioinspired CoTBE complex is a promising catalyst for neutral pH water oxidation.
• This work advances the development of nonprecious metal catalysts for clean hydrogen fuel production.
• The findings contribute to strategies for artificial photosynthesis and renewable energy solutions.