Homonuclear Mixed-Valent Cobalt Imidazolate Framework for Oxygen-Evolution Electrocatalysis.

Herein, the synthesis and characterization of the first mixed-valent, purely cobalt-based zeolitic imidazolate framework, Co(II)3Co(III)2(C3H3N2)12 is presented. The material adopts the cubic garnet-type structure and combines high thermal stability of up to 350 °C with excellent chemical stability. Electrochemical characterization showed that the cobalt centres are redox active and efficiently support oxygen evolution, thus rendering this framework a potential candidate for single-site heterogeneous catalysis based on earth-abundant elements.