Buffer-Induced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by a Cobalt Pentadentate Complex in Water
description: Elucidating proton transfer dynamics in water represents one of the most challenging problems in water splitting reactions due to the presence of multiple proton donors, which complicates the overall reaction kinetics. This study examines the impact of buffer pKa and its concentration on catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution catalyzed by a CoIII complex (1). The results demonstrate that buffer increases the catalytic rate of the hydrogen evolution reaction. This enhanced activity is supported by the number of buffer acids possessing varying pKa values, with 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid yielding the maximum catalytic current. A linear free energy relationship, a characteristic of a Brsted-type mechanism, is observed between the buffers pKa and catalytic rate constants. This substantiates that the rate-limiting step is controlled by the proton delivery mediated by the buffer acids. Moreover, the observed inhibition in catalytic activity at a higher concentration of buffer reveals the possible binding interaction between buffer and the cobalt center, thereby impeding substrate access. These findings underscore the critical role of buffer identity and its concentration in optimizing the proton-dependent catalytic reactions in water. 2026 American Chemical Society
creator: Kumar, Pankaj; Pattanayak, Santanu; Bidarahalli, Anagha Raghavendrachar; Ghosh, Munmun
source: Inorganic Chemistry;Volume;65;Issue;12;pp.6534-6543
publisher: American Chemical Society
date: 01-01-2026
rights: Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
relation: ISSN: 201669; CODEN: INOCA
format: online
language: English
type: Article
coverage: Kumar P., Department of Chemistry, Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Haryana, Sonipat, 131029, India; Pattanayak S., Department of Chemistry, Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Haryana, Sonipat, 131029, India; Bidarahalli A.R., Department of Chemistry, Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Haryana, Sonipat, 131029, India, Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Bangalore, 560029, India; Ghosh M., Department of Chemistry, Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Haryana, Sonipat, 131029, India