Boron-capped tris(glyoximato) cobalt clathrochelate as a precursor for the electrodeposition of nanoparticles catalyzing H2 evolution in water.

Electrochemical investigation of a boron-capped tris(glyoximato)cobalt clathrochelate complex in the presence of acid reveals that the catalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution results from an electrodeposition of cobalt-containing nanoparticles on the electrode surface at a modest cathodic potential. The deposited particles act as remarkably active catalysts for H(2) production in water at pH 7.