Hydrogen evolution reaction mediated by an all-sulfur trinuclear nickel complex

Chem Commun (Camb). 2020 Sep 25;56(75):11106-11109. doi: 10.1039/d0cc04174b. Epub 2020 Aug 19.

Abstract

We report the synthesis and the characterization of a trinuclear nickel complex. Solid state and solution studies using X-ray diffraction, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy highlight the square planar geometries around the metal centers and an all-sulfur coordination sphere. It exhibits significant electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution in DMF using Et3NHCl as the proton source. DFT studies suggest that sulfur atoms act as proton relay, as proposed in [NiFe] hydrogenases.