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Anion dependence of the redox potential of α-[Fe(mcp)L2] – a case study
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanotechnology and Functional Materials.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2132-2917
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Chemistry, Department of Chemistry - BMC, Organic Chemistry.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4726-4121
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanotechnology and Functional Materials.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5496-9664
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanotechnology and Functional Materials.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4126-4347
2025 (English)In: Electrochimica Acta, ISSN 0013-4686, E-ISSN 1873-3859, Vol. 519, article id 145759Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Molecular catalysts for water oxidation and other electrochemical transformations have been a focus of significant research over recent decades. Among these, α-[Fe(mcp)L2] complexes stand out as one of the most active non-heme iron-based molecular catalyst for water oxidation. This study investigates how the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox potential of these catalysts varies with the identity of their labile ligands (L). Using cyclic voltammetry and complementary spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, 1H-NMR), we examined how ligands bind to the metal centre. Systematic variation of the labile ligand (L) demonstrated that the catalyst's redox potential in acetonitrile solution strongly depends on ligand identity. By introducing stoichiometric amounts of different anions to the electrolyte, the redox potential was tuned across a 1.5 V potential window.In aqueous solutions, the redox potential depended on both pH and electrolyte anion identity. These dependencies were successfully fitted to a thermodynamic model that was obtained by extending the typical proton-coupled electron transfer square scheme into a cube scheme that incorporates anion binding. The equation derived from this model provides valuable insights into the ligand-binding dynamics at the iron centre under diverse conditions.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 519, article id 145759
National Category
Nano Technology
Research subject
Engineering Science with specialization in Nanotechnology and Functional Materials
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-549659DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2025.145759ISI: 001427256700001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85217278704OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-549659DiVA, id: diva2:1935385
Available from: 2025-02-06 Created: 2025-02-06 Last updated: 2026-04-19Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Surface Immobilization of α-[Fe(mcp)L2] for the Investigation of Coupled Electron Transfer Reactions
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Surface Immobilization of α-[Fe(mcp)L2] for the Investigation of Coupled Electron Transfer Reactions
2026 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Coupled electron transfer reactions are key steps in many electrocatalytic mechanisms, for example, in the water oxidation reaction. Fundamental understanding of how the electron transfer in such reactions is influenced by parameters like the pH and the supporting electrolyte is crucial to advance the production of green hydrogen by electrocatalytic water splitting. Molecular catalysts serve as well-defined model systems in this endeavour. The surface immobilization of these coordination complexes is essential for investigations into their electron transfer kinetics. This work focuses on surface immobilization methods for the α-[Fe(mcp)L2] complex. Two different approaches are presented: the incorporation in conducting redox polymer (CRPs) as well as the formation of monolayers. The incorporation in CRPs allowed the immobilization on various electrode materials. However, the electrochemistry of the α-[Fe(mcp)L2] pendant group is dominated by the ion transport through the polymer matrix when measuring in aqueous electrolytes, thus limiting their use for the investigation of coupled electron transfer reactions. In a second approach, the α-[Fe(mcp)L2] monolayers were formed on glassy carbon electrodes via the Diels-Alder reaction using a maleimide linker. The electrochemical responses of the obtained monolayers closely follows the redox behaviour of the freely diffusing complex in solution. Aside from proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) behaviour, an electron transfer induced ligand exchange reaction with the supporting electrolyte anions, which we labelled anion-coupled electron transfer (ACET), is presented. Thermodynamic schemes that allow the rationalization of a PCET occurring in parallel to and ACET were derived. This thesis expands the surface immobilization toolbox for pyridyl amine ligands and their corresponding coordination complexes. This work highlights the critical yet often overlooked role of electrolyte anions in electrochemical reactions and deepens the fundamental understanding of coupled electron transfer reactions.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2026. p. 108
Series
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology, ISSN 1651-6214 ; 2685
Keywords
PCET, ACET, surface chemistry, surface immobilization, electrochemistry
National Category
Nanotechnology Materials Chemistry Physical Chemistry Organic Chemistry Polymer Chemistry
Research subject
Engineering Science with specialization in Nanotechnology and Functional Materials
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-584596 (URN)978-91-513-2848-5 (ISBN)
Public defence
2026-06-11, 101195, Heinz-Otto Kreiss, Ångström, Regementsvägen 10, 75237 Uppsala, 09:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2026-05-20 Created: 2026-04-19 Last updated: 2026-05-20

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Gaiser, PhilippEmanuelsson, RikardStrömme, MariaSjödin, Martin

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