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

The generation of H-2 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 H-2. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.