Heterogeneous catalysis based on
air-stable lanthanide complexes
is relatively rare, especially for electrochemical water oxidation
and reduction. Therefore, it is highly desired to investigate the
synergy caused by cocatalysts on the lanthanide complex family for
heterogeneous catalysis because of their structural diversity, air/moisture
insensitivity, and easy preparation under an air atmosphere. Two mononuclear
and three dinuclear dysprosium complexes containing a series of Schiff-base
ligands have been demonstrated as robust electrocatalysts for triggering
heterogeneous water oxidation in alkaline solution, in which the complex
[Dy2(hmb)2(OAc)4]·MeCN(3) was revealed to have the best activity toward heterogeneous
water oxidation among all five complexes in the present study. The
molecular activation of dysprosium complexes has also been investigated
with a series of N-containing heterocyclic additives [i.e., 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine
(DMAP), bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride ([PPN]Cl), indole,
and quinoline]. In particular, the corresponding overpotential was
effectively enhanced by 211 mV (at a current density of 10 mA cm–2) with the assistance of DMAP. On the basis of electrochemical
and ex situ/in situ spectroscopic investigations, the best catalyst,
DMAP–complex 3 on a carbon paper electrode, was
confirmed with well-maintained molecular identity during heterogeneous
water oxidation free of forming any dysprosium oxide and/or undesired
products.