Electrocatalytic Reduction of Dioxygen to Hydrogen Peroxide by a Molecular Manganese Complex with a Bipyridine-Containing Schiff Base Ligand.

The synthesis and electrocatalytic reduction of dioxygen by a molecular manganese(III) complex with a tetradentate dianionic bipyridine-based ligand is reported. Electrochemical characterization indicates a Nernstian dependence on the added proton source for the reduction of Mn(III) to Mn(II). The resultant species is competent for the reduction of dioxygen to H2O2 with 81 ± 4% Faradaic efficiency. Mechanistic studies suggest that the catalytically active species has been generated through the interaction of the added proton donor and the parent Mn complex, resulting in the protonation of a coordinated phenolate moiety following the single-electron reduction, generating a neutral species with a vacant coordination site at the metal center. As a consequence, the active catalyst has a pendent proton source in close proximity to the active site for subsequent intramolecular reactions.