Decoration of the layered manganese oxide birnessite with Mn(II/III) gives a new water oxidation catalyst with fifty-fold turnover number enhancement.

The role of the manganese average oxidation state (AOS) in water oxidation catalysis by birnessite was investigated. Low AOS samples were most active, generating O2 immediately. Samples with a relatively high AOS showed an initial induction period and decreased turnover. Mn(ii- and iii)-enriched samples gave a 10-50 fold enhancement in turnover number.