A Computational Study of the Mechanism of Hydrogen Evolution by Cobalt(Diimine-Dioxime) Catalysts

Cobalt(diimine-dioxime) complexes catalyze hydrogen evolution with low overpotentials and remarkable stability. In this study, DFT calculations were used to investigate their catalytic mechanism, to demonstrate that the initial active state was a Co-I complex and that H-2 was evolved in a heterolytic manner through the protonation of a Co(II)hydride intermediate. In addition, these catalysts were shown to adjust their electrocatalytic potential for hydrogen evolution to the pH value of the solution and such a property was assigned to the presence of a H+-exchange site on the oxime bridge. It was possible to establish that protonation of the bridge was directly involved in the H-2-evolution mechanism through proton-coupled electron-transfer steps. A consistent mechanistic scheme is proposed that fits the experimentally determined electrocatalytic and electrochemical potentials of cobalt(diimine-dioxime) complexes and reproduces the observed positive shift of the electrocatalytic potential with increasing acidity of the proton source.