Synthesis and Characterization of an Insoluble Ruthenium-Based Coordination Polymer Catalyst for Water Oxidation

In this study a novel linear coordination polymer catalyst, catena-poly[aqua {2-[6-(1,8-Naphthyrid-2-yl)-2-pyridyl]-1,8-naphthyridine}ruthenium(II)--(4,4'-bipyridine)]perchlorate, di-sodium perchlorate, tri-ethanol solvate, is synthesized and characterized. This novel polymer is characterized by spectroscopy and solid-state electrochemical methods. In the presence of Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6, the polymeric catalyst is found to react with water and to efficiently and continuously liberate molecular oxygen (O2). In electrochemical experiments, this catalytic process is confirmed, the activation energy for this process is estimated, and the potential dependence of the catalytic process is revealed.