Volume 81, Issue 10 p. 1064-1067
Communication

Photochemical Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Water-Soluble Copper Phthalocyanine Complex

Ryota Terao

Ryota Terao

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan

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Takashi Nakazono

Takashi Nakazono

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan

International Institute for Carbon–Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan

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Dr. Alexander Rene Parent

Corresponding Author

Dr. Alexander Rene Parent

International Institute for Carbon–Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050 USA

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Prof. Ken Sakai

Corresponding Author

Prof. Ken Sakai

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan

International Institute for Carbon–Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan

Center for Molecular Systems (CMS), Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan

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First published: 06 October 2016
Citations: 51

Graphical Abstract

En route to solar fuels: Copper tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine serves as a water oxidation catalyst in the photoreaction using Ru(bpy)32+/Na2S2O8. (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine; see figure). Kinetic studies indicate a bimolecular radical coupling process to be the rate-determining step. Chloride contamination was found to dramatically decrease the water oxidation rate.

Abstract

Copper tetrasulfonatophthalocyanine (CuPcTS) is reported to serve as a catalyst for photochemical water oxidation via a radical coupling mechanism. Chloride greatly inhibits the water oxidation rate as a result of axial chloride binding to CuPcTS, preventing formation of the Cu oxyl or hydroxyl intermediate required for O−O bond formation.