Tetrahedral Cu(I) Complexes As Electrocatalysts For The Reduction Of Protons To Dihydrogen Gas

Four copper(I) complexes [Cu(MeCN)(4)]PF6 (1), [Cu(dppe)(2)]PF6 (2), [Cu(bpy)(2)]PF6 (3) and [Cu(bpy)(dppe)]PF6 (4) have been used as electrocatalysts in the generation of dihydrogen from proton reduction. Low overpotentials of 0.4 V have been measured using cyclic voltammetry when 1 and 3 were used as the catalysts in the presence of acetic acid as the proton source in acetonitrile. In contrast, a higher overpotential is observed for 4 while 2 is unable to catalyse the process. A mechanism for proton reduction has been proposed.