The cobalt corrole catalyzed hydrogen evolution reaction: surprising electronic effects and characterization of key reaction intermediates

A surprising effect of halide substituents on reduction potentials and catalytic activity of halogenated cobalt corroles has been deduced by experimental and computational methods; the proton-activating cobalt(I) and the cobalt(II) corrole that is formed in the step during which hydrogen is formed are characterized by NMR spectroscopy.