Cobalt complexes as artificial hydrogenases for the reductive side of water splitting

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 1827; no. 8-9; pp. 958 - 973
• Main Authors: Eckenhoff, William T., McNamara, William R., Du, Pingwu, Eisenberg, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-08-2013
• Subjects: biomimetics; Catalysis; catalysts; cobalt; Cobalt - chemistry; Electrocatalysis; electrochemistry; electrons; energy metabolism; hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Hydrogenase - chemistry; Oxidation-Reduction; Photocatalysis; protons; Solar energy; Water reduction; Water splitting; Electrocatalysis; Water splitting; Photocatalysis; Hydrogen production; Solar energy; Water reduction
• ISSN: 0005-2728; 0006-3002; 1879-2650
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.05.003

The generation of H2 from protons and electrons by complexes of cobalt has an extensive history. During the past decade, interest in this subject has increased as a result of developments in hydrogen generation that are driven electrochemically or photochemically. This article reviews the subject of hydrogen generation using Co complexes as catalysts and discusses the mechanistic implications of the systems studied for making H2. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems.
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•Photocatalytic systems using cobalt catalysts are examined.•Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic methods are discussed in detail.•Major mechanistic findings are presented.•Systems using integrated photosensitizer–catalyst systems are considered.•Semi-conductor based systems with cobalt catalysts are also examined.