Dual function photocatalysis of cyano-bridged heteronuclear metal complexes for water oxidation and two-electron reduction of dioxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide as a solar fuel

Abstract

The photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide from water and dioxygen under visible light irradiation was made possible by using polymeric cyano-bridged heteronuclear metal complexes (MII[RuII(CN)4(bpy)]; MII = NiII, FeII and MnII), where the photocatalytic two-electron reduction of O2 and water oxidation were catalysed by the Ru and MII moieties, respectively. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.