Mechanistic studies of the water oxidation reaction with molecular iron catalysts

In this dissertation iron-based homogeneous catalysts were synthesized, characterized and investigated for water oxidation activity. The catalysts were studied under electrochemical conditions in order to compare the electrochemical approach to the catalysis based on the use of sacrificial oxidants. The mechanisms under which these catalysts operate have been explored with particular attention to the O−O bond formation step. The combination of electrochemical techniques and in situ characterization techniques allowed for the identification of the active intermediates responsible for catalysis. The influence of the presence of water oxidation catalysts in solution on the evolution of carbon dioxide from the surface of a pyrolytic graphite working electrode was also investigated. Overall, the results of this work demonstrate that the combination of in operando and in situ (spectro)electrochemical techniques allows for a complete investigation of the catalytic mechanism of the water oxidation reaction.Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material