Synthesis, Characterization, and Hydrogen Evolution Activity of Metallo-meso-(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)porphyrin Derivatives

Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) 5,10,15,20- tetrakis(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)porphyrins (TFPs) have been synthesized and characterized. The electronic spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry of these compounds, along with the free-base macrocycle (2H-TFP), have been determined; 2H-TFP was also structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Cu(II)TFP exhibits catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The analysis of linear sweep voltammograms shows that the HER reaction of Cu(II)TFP with benzoic acid is firstorder in proton concentration with an average apparent rate constant for HER catalysis of k(app) = 5.79 +/- 0.47 x 10(3) M-1 s(-1).

Automated summary

Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-fluoro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)porphyrins (TFPs) were synthesized and characterized. The catalytic activity of Cu(II)TFP for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was observed, and the mechanism of the reaction was determined by analyzing the voltammograms.