Hydrogen Evolution Reaction, Electrochemical CO2 Reduction, and Oxidative Photodegradation of Organic Dyes Catalyzed by Co(II) Trimethoxy-Meso-Arylporphyrin

In search of robust catalysts for redox transformations such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) or CO2 to CO reduction, we stepped on the previously reported meso-tetrakis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)porphyrinato cobalt(II) complex [Co(TTMPP)]. We prepared [Co(TTMPP)] in good yields and characterized it by IR, UV-vis absorption, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The [Co(TTMPP)] was used as a homogeneous catalyst for the electrochemical formation of H2 (HER) in DMF (N,N’-dimethylformamide)/TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) and DMF/EtN3BF4 solutions, with high faradic efficiencies (FE). Additionally, the reduction of CO2 to CO in DMF under a CO2 atmosphere was catalyzed in DMF/TFE (TFE = 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol) and DMF/PhOH with high FE and only traces of H2 as a by-product. Turnover frequencies of 15.80 or 9.33 s−1, respectively were determined from CV experiments or controlled potential electrolysis in the presence of 1eq. TFE. They were lower with PhOH as proton source with 13.85 or 8.31 s−1, respectively. Further, [Co(TTMPP)] as a solid catalyst (suspension) allowed the photodecomposition of the organic dyes methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) using H2O2 under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst was photostable over five cycles. A photocatalytic mechanism was proposed based on trapping experiments of reactive oxygen species.