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

The pH-dependent electrochemical behavior for a Co(II) complex, [Co(Py5)(OH2)](ClO4)(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.