Distant protonated pyridine groups in water-soluble iron porphyrin electrocatalysts promote selective oxygen reduction to water.

Fe(III)-meso-tetra(pyridyl)porphyrins are electrocatalysts for the reduction of dioxygen in aqueous acidic solution. The 2-pyridyl derivatives, both the triflate and chloride salts, are more selective for the desired 4e(-) reduction than the isomeric 4-pyridyl complexes. The inward-pointing pyridinium groups influence proton delivery despite their distance from the iron centre.