Blue ruthenium dimer catalysis for hydrogen generation
(Phys.org) —Photosynthetic water oxidation is a fundamental process in the biosphere that results in the sunlight-driven formation of O2 from water. Biological photosynthesis encompasses a series of complicated processes involving several transition states and intermediates that scientists continue to investigate. Mimicking this reaction in a man-made device will allow for sunlight-to-chemical energy conversion, with water providing electrons and protons for the formation of oxygen and reduced chemicals, a process best suited for sustainable and clean generation of H2. The first synthetic catalyst designed to mimic the portion of biological photosynthesis involved in water oxidation, i.e., the catalyzed evolution of O2 from H2O, was the ruthenium-based compound commonly referred to as "blue dimer" (BD).