Photosystem II (PSII) is the membrane-bound oxidoreductase peptide complex responsible for the oxidation of water to molecular oxygen and reduction of plastoquinone to plastoquinol. Primary electron transfer is initiated upon absorption of a photon by the primary donor chl resulting in electron transfer and production of a P680+QA charge separated state. P680+ is reduced by YZ (Y161 of the D1 polypeptide subunit), one of two redox-active tyrosine residues found in PSII. This produces a neutral tyrosyl radical (YZ ) which is subsequently reduced by electrons derived from water at the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). The OEC is composed of four manganese, one calcium ion, and one chloride ion. Four photons are required to convert water to O2, each photon advancing the OEC through successive oxidation states or S states. The exact chemical mechanism of water oxidation in PSII is not known. However, proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is thought to be one of the fundamental steps in driving the extraction of electrons and protons from water. Here, the mechanism of water oxidation is investigated with focus on PCET events using vibrational spectroscopy. Vibrational spectroscopy is sensitive to changes in protein structure, charge, and hydrogen bonding, and is ideal for the study of fast events coupled with light-induced electron transfer. The results presented here demonstrate the utility of time-resolved infrared spectroscopy in the detection of intermediates of photosynthetic water oxidation. We suggest that proton transfer may precede manganese oxidation during water oxidation based on time-resolved infrared and difference FT-IR spectroscopic results. The mechanism of PCET associated with YZ reduction is investigated. Using reaction-induced difference FT-IR spectroscopy, the identity of the chloride binding site is speculated through the use of bromide exchange at the OEC. Also, proton transfer reactions at the OEC are investigated using azide as a vibrational probe. The advances in the understanding of photosynthetic water oxidation gained in this work will aid in the elucidation of the chemical mechanism of this important reaction. Understanding the details of photosynthetic water oxidation will assist in the development of technology aimed at harnessing the energy of the sun for the benefit of humankind.

No description available.

abstract: The utilization of solar energy requires an efficient means of its storage as fuel. In bio-inspired artificial photosynthesis, light energy can be used to drive water oxidation, but catalysts that produce molecular oxygen from water are required. This dissertation demonstrates a novel complex utilizing earth-abundant Ni in combination with glycine as an efficient catalyst with a modest overpotential of 0.475 ± 0.005 V for a current density of 1 mA/cm<super>2</super> at pH 11. The production of molecular oxygen at a high potential was verified by measurement of the change in oxygen concentration, yielding a Faradaic efficiency of 60 ± 5%. This Ni species can achieve a current density of 4 mA/cm<super>2</super> that persists for at least 10 hours. Based upon the observed pH dependence of the current amplitude and oxidation/reduction peaks, the catalysis is an electron-proton coupled process. In addition, to investigate the binding of divalent metals to proteins, four peptides were designed and synthesized with carboxylate and histidine ligands. The binding of the metals was characterized by monitoring the metal-induced changes in circular dichroism spectra. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that bound copper underwent a Cu(I)/Cu(II) oxidation/reduction change at a potential of approximately 0.32 V in a quasi-reversible process. The relative binding affinity of Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) to the peptides is correlated with the stability constants of the Irving-Williams series for divalent metal ions. A potential application of these complexes of transition metals with amino acids or peptides is in the development of artificial photosynthetic cells. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biological Design 2014

Thesis advisor: Dunwei Wang / Atomically dispersed catalysts refer to substrate-supported heterogeneous catalysts featuring one or a few active metal atoms that are separated from one another. They represent an important class of materials ranging from single atom catalysts (SACs) and nanoparticles (NPs). The study of SACs has brought an attention of understanding the reaction mechanism at the molecular level. SACs is a promising field, however, there are still many challenges and opportunities in developing the next generation of catalysts. Catalysts featuring two atoms with well-defined structures as active sites are poorly studied. It is expected that this class of catalysts will show uniqueness in activity, selectivity, and stability. However, the difficulty in synthesizing such structures has been a critical challenge. I tackled this challenge by using a facile photochemical method to generate active metal centers consisting of two iridium metal atoms bridged by O ligands and bound to a support by stripping the ligands of the organometallic complex. My research also unveiled the structure of this dinuclear heterogeneous catalysts (DHCs) by integrating various characterization resources. Direct evidence unambiguously supporting the dinuclear nature of catalysts anchored on metal oxides is obtained by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. In addition, different binding modes have been achieved on two categories of metal oxides with distinguishable surface oxygen densities and interatomic distances of binding sites. Side-on bound DHCs was demonstrated on iron oxide and ceria where both Ir atoms are affixed to the surface with similar coordination environment. The binding sites on the OH-terminated surface of Fe2O3 and CeO2 anchor the catalysts to provide outstanding stability against detachment, diffusion and aggregation. The competing end-on binding mode, where only one Ir atom is attached to the substrate and the other one is dangling was observed on WO3. Evidence supporting the binding modes was obtained by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. In addition, the synergistic effect between two adjacent Ir atoms and the uniqueness of different coordinative oxygen atoms around Ir atoms were investigated by a series of operando spectroscopy such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy and microscopy at atomic level under the reaction condition. The resulting catalysts exhibit high activities and stabilities toward H2O photo-oxidation and preferential CO oxidation. Density functional theory calculations provide additional support for atomic structure, binding sites modes on metal oxides, as well as insights into how DHCs may be beneficial for these catalytic reactions. This research has important implications for future studies of highly effective heterogeneous catalysts for complex chemical reactions. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

No description available.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention in the past few decades due to their ordered, crystalline nature, synthetic tunability, and porosity. MOFs represent a class of hybrid inorganic-organic materials that have been investigated for their applications in areas such as gas sorption and separation, catalysis, drug delivery, and electron or proton conduction. It has been the goal of my graduate research to investigate MOFs for their ability to transport electrons and store and separate gases for ultimate catalytic applications in alternative energy generation. I aim to provide new insight into the design and development of stable MOFs for such applications. We first investigated a cobalt(III) porphyrin based MOF comprised of Co(II)-carboxylate nodes, designated as CoPIZA, for its electron transport capabilities. Thin films of CoPIZA were formed solvothermally on conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates and used for electrochemical characterization. Electrochemistry coupled with spectroscopic analysis of the CoPIZA film revealed reversible reduction of the cobalt centers of the porphyrin linkers with maintenance of the overall framework structure. The mechanism of charge transport throughout the film was facilitated by redox hopping of electrons between the metal centers of the nodes and linkers. The ability to incorporate desired properties, such as pore functionalities or open metal centers, into frameworks makes them attractive for applications in separation of gaseous mixtures, such as CO2/N2 from combustion power plants. To investigate the selective adsorption properties, we performed gas sorption measurements on bulk MOF materials to determine their affinity toward CO2. Two Zn-based MOFs containing 2,5-pyridine dicarboxylate linkers were prepared in our laboratory and contained unsaturated Zn(II) metal centers, which possess a binding site on the metal without an activation procedure to remove bound solvent molecules. These MOFs were compared to the well-known Zn-based MOF-69C containing 1,4-benzene dicarboxylate linkers. Thermodynamic analysis of the gas sorption data revealed that the mechanism of CO2 binding involved the coordinatively unsaturated Zn(II) center. The microporous MOF also demonstrated selectivity for CO2 over N2 under the same conditions. As these materials were able to uptake CO2, their ability to transport electrons was also investigated for ultimate applications in catalysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed on the bulk MOF powders and was coupled with solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These results determined that the conduction mechanism proceeded via solvent molecules within the pores of the framework. The catalytic ability toward water oxidation of two MOFs was investigated electrochemically. Initial studies focused on a cobalt-based MOF comprised of 2-pyrimidinolate (pymo) linkers, designated as Co(pymo)2, which was prepared on FTO via drop-casting and used for electrochemical experiments. At applied anodic potentials, the CoII centers of Co(pymo)2 became oxidized to form a Co-oxide species on the electrode surface, which was found to be the active catalysis for water oxidation. Further investigations utilized a notably more stable Zr-based MOF with nickel(II) porphyrin linkers, designated as PCN-224-Ni. PCN-224-Ni was prepared solvothermally on FTO and used directly for electrochemical water oxidation. The mechanism of water oxidation at PCN-224-Ni proceeds via oxidation of the porphyrin macrocycle followed by binding of water to the Ni(II) center. Cooperative proton transfer to the Zr-oxo node facilitated water oxidation with the eventual release of O2. Thorough characterization revealed that PCN-224-Ni retained its structural integrity over the course of electrochemical catalysis. These results have allowed us a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of electron transport and conduction throughout frameworks. Specifically, the incorporation of metalloporphyrin molecules with redox active metal centers coupled with the presence of redox active metal nodes resulted in redox hopping charge transport throughout the MOF. In addition, the presence of solvent molecules in the pores of the framework provided an extended network for charge transport. We have gained insight into the structure-function relationship of MOFs for applications in selective gas sorption, where an unsaturated metal center serves as the binding site for gas molecules. Finally, through selection of the components that comprise the framework, a stable metalloporphyrin MOF was found to be capable of electrochemically facilitating the water oxidation reaction. As a result, we have gained valuable insight into the properties of frameworks necessary for charge transport and stability, which will allow for further improvements in the smart design of MOFs for catalytic applications. / Ph. D.

Este trabalho está focado no desenvolvimento de complexos de rutênio binucleares baseados no ligante ponte 2,6-bis(2-piridil)benzodiimidazol (dpimH2) com potencial aplicação como catalisadores para oxidação da água. O acoplamento eletrônico entre os centros metálicos bem como as propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas podem ser controlados via reações ácido-base no ligante bis-bidentado. Dessa forma, neste trabalho descrevemos o preparo e a caracterização do respectivo composto mononuclear, bem como do complexo binuclear simétrico [{RuCl(phtpy)}2(dpimH2)](Otf) 2 (onde phtpy=4-fenil-2,2\':6\',\'\'-terpiridina), e do análogo assimétrico [{Ru(bpy)2}(dpimH2){Ru(phtpy)Cl}](ClO4)3 (onde bpy=2,2\'-bypiridina), que possui um centro catalítico e um grupo cromóforo na mesma molécula como esperado em um fotocatalisador, em que os dois centros catalíticos estão covalentemente conectados através do ligante ponte funcional. As caracterizações estrutural e eletrônica de ambos os complexos por 1H RMN, ESI-MS e espectroscopia de absorção UV-Vis indicaram a presença de isômeros geométricos com perfis eletrônicos similares. Por outro lado, a análise eletroquímica por voltametria cíclica demonstrou menores potenciais Ru(III/II) quando comparados a complexos polipiridínicos análogos. Este potencial redox pode ainda ser catodicamente deslocado através da remoção de prótons dos grupos imidazóis do ligante ponte, possibilitando, dessa forma, a modulação das propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas destes complexos de rutênio através de reações de protonação/desprotonação dos grupos -NH. Além disso, neste trabalho é investigada a inesperada formação do complexo [Ru(phtpy)2] nas reações do complexo [RuCl3(phtpy)] puro com ligantes bidentados, utilizando-se espectroscopia UV-Vis e de 1H RMN. / This work is focused on the development of dinuclear ruthenium complexes with potential application as catalysts for oxidation of water, that are characterized by a benzobisimidazole 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)benzodiimidazole (dpimH2) bridging ligand, whose interaction between the metal centers as well as the electronic and catalytic properties can be tuned by acid-base reactions in that moiety. Thus, the preparation and characterization of the respective mononuclear species are described. The dinuclear complex [2(dpimH2)](Otf)2(phtpy=4-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridine), in which two catalytic centers are covalently linked through that bridging ligand, and of the [(dpimH2)](ClO4)3 complex (where bpy=2,2\'-bypiridine) integrating a chromophore and a catalytic center in the same molecule as expected for a photocatalyst. The structural and electronic characterization of both complexes by NMR, ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated the presence of geometric isomers with similar electronic profiles. On the other hand, the electrochemical analysis by cyclic voltammetry displayed redox potential values for the Ru3+/Ru2+ couples lower than the respective polypyridyl complex counterparts. This redox potential can be even more shifted to less positive potentials by removal of protons from the imidazole groups in the bridging ligand, opening the possibility of tuning the electronic and catalytic properties of those ruthenium complexes based on protonation/deprotonation of the -NH groups. Furthermore, in this work is analyzed the unexpected formation of the bisterpyridine [Ru(phpy)2] complex in reactions starting with pure [RuCl3(phtpy)] complex with bidentated ligands, as through UV-Vis spectroscopy and RMN.

Complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio mononuclares vem sendo ativamente estudados como catalisadores da reação de oxidação de água a oxigênio, mas o complexo ativado dos catalisadores mais eficientes envolve a formação de um dímero, indicando a importância da estrutura binuclear para ativação dos mesmos. Assim, nesta tese propomos o estudo dos possíveis efeitos sinérgicos em complexos binucleares de rutênio polipiridinas angulares para ativação das espécies de alta valência do tipo RuV=O e RuIV=O. Assim, foram preparadas séries de complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio empregando os ligantes tridentados derivados de terpiridinas e bidentados tipo bipiridina na forma cloro complexos e aqua complexos mono e binucleares, capazes de atuar como precursores das espécies ativas de alta valência por meio de reações de transferência de elétrons acoplado a transferência de prótons (PCET). Os complexos [RuCl(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6), [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 e [Ru2Cl2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 (phtpy= 4\'-fenil-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridina, bpy= 2,2´-bipiriridina, Clphen= 5-cloro-1,10-fenantrolina e tpy2ph= 1,3-bis(4\'-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridil)benzeno) e seus aqua complexos foram sintetizados e caracterizados por técnicas espectroscópicas e eletroquímicas. Os complexos [RuCl(bpy)phtpy](PF6), [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 e [Ru2Cl2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 apresentam apenas reações de transferência de elétrons onde o estado de oxidação máximo do íon rutênio é 3+. Todavia, os respectivos aqua complexos [Ru(H2O)(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6)2, [Ru2(H2O)2(bpy)(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 e [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 podem ser oxidados de modo a gerar complexos de alta valência com íon rutênio nos estados de oxidação 4+ e 5+ via reação de transferência eletrônica acoplada a transferência de prótons (PCET). Os complexos de RuIV=O são gerados em potenciais relativamente baixos e não apresentaram atividade eletrocatalítica significativa, enquanto que as espécies RuV=O ([RuV(O)(bpy)(phtpy)]3+ e [Ru2V(O)2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)]6+) atuam como catalisadores eficientes para a reação de oxidação da água a oxigênio. Os valores de TOF para os complexos binuclear (0,97 s-1) é cerca de três vezes maior que para o complexo mononuclear (0,32 s-1), confirmando a presença de efeitos sinérgicos que aceleram a liberação de oxigênio no complexo binuclear. As propriedades eletrocatalíticas dos complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio de alta valência foram transferidos para a superfície de eletrodos via eletropolimerização redutiva do complexo [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](TfO)4. Neste caso foram observadas a geração eletroquímica de espécies contendo o íon rutênio nos estados de oxidação 2+, 4+ e 5+, enquanto que a espécie no estado 3+ aparentemente não é estável e sofre desproporcionamento. O eletrodo modificado preservou a alta atividade eletrocatalítica do aqua complexo binuclear para a reação de oxidação da água (TOF de 0,80 s-1) e também para a oxidação de álcool benzílico a benzaldeído, com kRuIV= 14,70 L·mol-1 s-1 demonstrando o elevado potencial do material para a oxidação de substratos orgânicos. / Mononuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes have been studied as catalysts of oxygen evolution in water oxidation reaction, but the activated complex of most efficient catalysts assume the formation of dimers indicating the importance of the binuclear structure for their activation. Thereby, in this thesis we propose the study of possible synergistic effects in binuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes in order to activate species with high valence as RuV=O and RuIV=O for multi-electronic catalytic oxidation reactions. For this purpose, it was prepared a series of ruthenium polyppyridyl complexes using tridentate ligands based in terpyridine and bidentate bipyridine generating binuclear chloride complexes and aqua complexes which are able to act as precursors of the respective high valence active species generated by proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions. The [RuCl(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6) and [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 complexes (phtpy= 4\'-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpyridine, bpy= 2,2´-bipyridine and tpy2ph= 1,3-bis(4\'-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpyridin-4-yl)benzene) and their respective aqua complexes were synthetized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The chloro complexes [RuCl(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6), [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 and [Ru2Cl2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 (Clphen= 5-Chloro-1,10-phenanthroline) show only electron transfer reactions where the maximum oxidation state of the ruthenium ion is 3+. However, the respective aqua complexes [Ru(H2O)(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6)2, [Ru2(H2O)2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 and [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 can be oxidized further by proton coupled electron transfer (PCET), generating high valence complexes where the ruthenium oxidation state can be 4+ and 5+. Complexes of RuIV=O are generated in relatively low potentials and do not presented significant electrocatalytic activity for oxidation of water to dioxygen, whereas the RuV=O species ([RuV(O)(bpy)(phtpy)]3+ and [Ru2V(O)2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)]6+) showed to be efficient catalysts for the reaction of water oxidation. The values of TOF for the binuclear complexes (0,97 s-1) were about three times larger than for the mononuclear complex (0,32 s-1), confirming the presence of synergistic effects accelerating the formation and release of oxygen by the binuclear complex. The electrocatalytic properties of high valence ruthenium polypyridyl complexes were transferred to electrodes surface by reductive electropolymerization of the [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](TfO)4 complex. In this case the electrochemical generation of ruthenium 2+, 4+ and 5+ species were observed whereas the 3+ species was not stable and disproportionated. The modified electrodes preserved the high electrocatalytic activity of the binuclear aqua complexes for water oxidation reaction (TOF de 0,80 s-1), and also for oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with kRuIV= 14,70 L mol-1 s-1 demonstrating the high catalytic efficiency for oxidation of organic substrates.

Este trabalho está focado no desenvolvimento de complexos de rutênio binucleares baseados no ligante ponte 2,6-bis(2-piridil)benzodiimidazol (dpimH2) com potencial aplicação como catalisadores para oxidação da água. O acoplamento eletrônico entre os centros metálicos bem como as propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas podem ser controlados via reações ácido-base no ligante bis-bidentado. Dessa forma, neste trabalho descrevemos o preparo e a caracterização do respectivo composto mononuclear, bem como do complexo binuclear simétrico [{RuCl(phtpy)}2(dpimH2)](Otf) 2 (onde phtpy=4-fenil-2,2\':6\',\'\'-terpiridina), e do análogo assimétrico [{Ru(bpy)2}(dpimH2){Ru(phtpy)Cl}](ClO4)3 (onde bpy=2,2\'-bypiridina), que possui um centro catalítico e um grupo cromóforo na mesma molécula como esperado em um fotocatalisador, em que os dois centros catalíticos estão covalentemente conectados através do ligante ponte funcional. As caracterizações estrutural e eletrônica de ambos os complexos por 1H RMN, ESI-MS e espectroscopia de absorção UV-Vis indicaram a presença de isômeros geométricos com perfis eletrônicos similares. Por outro lado, a análise eletroquímica por voltametria cíclica demonstrou menores potenciais Ru(III/II) quando comparados a complexos polipiridínicos análogos. Este potencial redox pode ainda ser catodicamente deslocado através da remoção de prótons dos grupos imidazóis do ligante ponte, possibilitando, dessa forma, a modulação das propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas destes complexos de rutênio através de reações de protonação/desprotonação dos grupos -NH. Além disso, neste trabalho é investigada a inesperada formação do complexo [Ru(phtpy)2] nas reações do complexo [RuCl3(phtpy)] puro com ligantes bidentados, utilizando-se espectroscopia UV-Vis e de 1H RMN. / This work is focused on the development of dinuclear ruthenium complexes with potential application as catalysts for oxidation of water, that are characterized by a benzobisimidazole 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)benzodiimidazole (dpimH2) bridging ligand, whose interaction between the metal centers as well as the electronic and catalytic properties can be tuned by acid-base reactions in that moiety. Thus, the preparation and characterization of the respective mononuclear species are described. The dinuclear complex [2(dpimH2)](Otf)2(phtpy=4-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridine), in which two catalytic centers are covalently linked through that bridging ligand, and of the [(dpimH2)](ClO4)3 complex (where bpy=2,2\'-bypiridine) integrating a chromophore and a catalytic center in the same molecule as expected for a photocatalyst. The structural and electronic characterization of both complexes by NMR, ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated the presence of geometric isomers with similar electronic profiles. On the other hand, the electrochemical analysis by cyclic voltammetry displayed redox potential values for the Ru3+/Ru2+ couples lower than the respective polypyridyl complex counterparts. This redox potential can be even more shifted to less positive potentials by removal of protons from the imidazole groups in the bridging ligand, opening the possibility of tuning the electronic and catalytic properties of those ruthenium complexes based on protonation/deprotonation of the -NH groups. Furthermore, in this work is analyzed the unexpected formation of the bisterpyridine [Ru(phpy)2] complex in reactions starting with pure [RuCl3(phtpy)] complex with bidentated ligands, as through UV-Vis spectroscopy and RMN.

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasste sich mit der Entwicklung neuer Hangmankomplexe, die auf ihre katalytischen Fähigkeiten bei der Wasseroxidation oder bei der Sauerstoffreduktion hin untersucht wurden. Diese beiden katalytischen Reaktionen sind von entscheidender Rolle bei der Speicherung erneuerbarer Energien in Form einer chemischen Bindung. Des Weiteren wurden im Rahmen dieser Arbeit mechanistische Studien an bekannten Katalysatorsystemen mittels verschiedener spektroskopischer Methoden durchgeführt. Als Referenzsystem bei der katalytischen Wasseroxidation diente der Komplex [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridin, tpy = 2,2′;6′,2″-terpyridin), welcher nach einer bereits publizierten Vorschrift synthetisiert werden konnte. Durch die Kombination des bekannten Hangmansystems von NOCERA et al. mit dem Komplex [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ konnte eine neue Klasse von Wasseroxidationskatalysatoren geschaffen werden Die Hangmankomplexe konnten in sehr guten Ausbeuten synthetisiert und vollständig charakterisiert werden. Es konnte erstmalig gezeigt werden, dass diese Komplexe in der Lage sind, eine intramolekulare basenassistierte Wasseroxidation zu katalysieren. Bei der Verwendung des Hanmgankatalysators mit Iodidligang und Perchlorat als nicht koordinierenden Anions mit einer TON von 21,5 nach acht Stunden (beschränkt auf 25 Zyklen) im Vergleich zu den anderen Ruthenium Hangmankomplexen die größte katalytische Aktivität auf und stand damit im Vordergrund weiterer Untersuchungen. Durch die Verwendung von (NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6] (CAN) als Oxidationsmittel war die Katalyse des Hangmankomplexes in homogenen Katalysesystemen lediglich auf sehr niedrige pH-Werte beschränkt, was zur Verlangsamung der Katalysegeschwindigkeit (TOF) führte. Mittels UV-Vis-Spektroskopie konnte die Bildung hochvalenter RuIII-OH- und RuIV=O Intermediate durch schrittweise Oxidation des Rutheniumzentrums mit CAN nachgewiesen werden. Durch MALDI MS/MS Experimente ist es zudem gelungen, den Hangmaneffekt, der durch den Einbau einer Carbonsäurefunktion herbeigeführt wurde, zu beweisen, da die Existenz eines zweiten Wassermoleküls in der zweiten Koordinationssphäre bestätigt werden konnte. Dieser seltene Einblick legte nahe, dass ein zweites Wassermolekül durch Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen so in die Struktur eingelagert wurde, dass die Ausbildung der O O Bindung bei der Wasseroxidation unterstützt wird. Der Verwendung des Hangmankomplexes in heterogenen Katalysesystemen war ebenfalls erfolgreich: Durch den Einsatz von Nafion-beschichteten ITO-Glass-Elektroden war es gelungen, den Hangmankomplex auf einer Oberfläche zu immobilisieren. Dadurch konnten elektrochemische Untersuchungen in allen pH-Bereichen, ohne auf Löslichkeitseffekte und Oxidationsmittel Rücksicht zu nehmen, durchgeführt werden. Bei der Bestimmung der onset-Potentiale (Potential, bei dem die Wasseroxidation beginnt) in verschiedenen wässrigen Pufferlösungen zeigte der Hangmankomplex ein zum Referenzkomplex [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ stark verändertes Verhalten. Diese pH Abhängigkeit war auf den Protonierungszustand der freien Carbonsäuregruppe zurückzuführen ist. Durch die Auswertung der onset Potentiale war es möglich, den pks Wert der Carbonsäure abzuschätzen; dieser liegt bei etwa 4,6. Es konnte außerdem gezeigt werden, dass bei diesem pH Wert der Hangmankomplex, wie erwartet, eine maximale Umsatzfrequenz bei der Wasseroxidation besitzt; sie ist viermal höher als die des Referenzsystems [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+. So erreichte der Referenzkomplex innerhalb der ersten Stunde der Elektrokatalyse eine TOF von 10,8 ± 0,11 h-1, welche durch den Hangmanliganden auf eine TOF von 45,6 ± 0,46 h-1 gesteigert werden konnte. Im Gegensatz dazu ließ sich bei den pH-Werten 3 und 7, wo die Carbonsäuregruppe vollständig protoniert bzw. deprotiert vorliegt, kein signifikanter Unterschied in der Katalyseaktivität beider Komplexe feststellen. Es ist demnach gelungen, die katalytische Aktivität von [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ durch den Einbau einer Hangmanfunktion signifikant zu steigern. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit lag in der Synthese und Charakterisierung neuer Hangman porphyrinbasierter Sauerstoffreduktionskatalysatoren, welche durch Polymerisation auf intramolekulare Wechselwirkungen innerhalb des Polymers, die das katalytische Verhalten beeinflussen, untersucht werden sollten. Für die Polymerisation der Sauerstoffreduktions-katalysatoren wurden neue Porphyrinsysteme entwickelt. Diese bestanden einerseits aus para-bromphenylsubstituierten und andererseits aus 3 thiophensubstituierten Porphyrinen, welche als Hangmankomplexe und tetrafunktionalisierte Porphyrine synthetisiert und vollständig charakterisiert werden konnten. Die Polymerisation der Komplexe konnte über die meso-Substituenten am Porphyrinring durch Ni(COD)2 in einer YAMAMOTO-Polymerisation und mit CuI in einer SONOGASHIRA-Polymerisation, sowie oxidativ via Elektrolyse auf einer FTO beschichteten Glaselektrode erreicht werden. Gerade die Polymerisation der para-bromfunktionalisierten Porphyrine nach SONOGASHIRA zeigte eine sehr gute Reproduzierbarkeit. Es konnten mittels BET-Analysen gleichbleibend große Oberflächen für die gebildeten Polymere ermittelt werden. Die nachfolgenden elektrochemisch katalysierten Untersuchungen legten nahe, dass eine Aktivität in der Sauerstoffreduktion besteht. Jedoch wurde durch die Polymerisation der Komplexe keine Verbesserung der katalytischen Eigenschaften für die Hangmansysteme im Vergleich zu den unfunktionalisierten Systemen erreicht, was vermutlich an der Wahl des pH Werts liegt. Dennoch konnte präparativ eine Methode aufgezeigt werden, um einfache Porphyrine und Hangmanporphyrine zu polymerisieren und so für heterogene Katalysen zugänglich zu machen. Ein weiterer wichtiger Teil dieser Arbeit waren Untersuchungen von Hangmanporphyrinkomplexen mittels sowohl oberflächenverstärkter Resonanz-Raman-Spektroskopie (surface enhanced resonance Raman, SERR) als auch oberflächenverstärkter IR-Absorptions-Spektroskopie (surface enhanced-infrared-absorption, SEIRA). Dies waren die ersten Studien an immobilisierten Eisenporphyrinkomplexen, die den Einfluss der Carboxylgruppe der Hangmanfunktion auf eine mögliche Substrataktivierung analysierten. Dabei diente der Methylestergeschützte Komplex von NOCERA et al. bei allen Untersuchungen als Referenzsystem. Die beiden Komplexe Hangmanporphyrinkomplexe mit Eisen, mit freier und geschützter Carbonsäure, wurden auf einer Goldoberfläche auf einer selbstangeordneten Monolage (SAM), die mit Imidazol-Endgruppen versehen war, immobilisiert. Die Gold bzw. Silberoberfläche diente als Elektrode, um über Potentialveränderung das Redoxverhalten zu beobachten. Durch SEIRA Differenzspektren konnte der Protonierungsgrad der Carboxylgruppe bei verschiedenen pH-Werten bestimmt werden. Zu diesem Zweck wurde die Veränderung einer intensiven Bande bei 1737 cm-1 mit sinkendem pH Wert verfolgt. Über die normierte Intensität wurde eine Titrationskurve erhalten, mit deren Hilfe erstmalig direkt der pKs-Wert der Hangmangruppe (3,4 ± 0,2) bestimmt werden konnte. Durch zeitaufgelöste SERR Spektroskopie konnte die heterogene Elektronentransfergeschwindigkeit kHET für die Reduktion des Eisen(III)metallzentrums erhalten werden. Dabei wurde festgestellt, dass beim Methylester nur eine geringe Veränderung der kHET mit Variation des pH-Wertes auftritt, jedoch das Gegenteil für die freie Carbonsäure zutrifft. Hier verändert sich die kHET stark in Abhängigkeit vom pH-Wert und somit auch vom Protonierungsgrad der funktionellen Gruppe. Durch den Einsatz von deuterierten Pufferlösungen wurde für den geschützten Komplex kein kinetischer Isotopeneffekt gefunden, was sehr wahrscheinlich darauf zurückzuführen ist, dass die Methylesterfunktion nicht in den Redoxprozess am Eisenzentrum involviert ist. Anders ist es bei der freien Carbonsäure: Hier stieg die Elektronentransferrate um das etwa 10-fache an und ergibt folglich einen inversen kinetischen Isotopeneffekt. Mit Hilfe dieser Erkenntnisse aus den ermittelten Elektronentransfergeschwindigkeiten, dem Redoxverhalten von FeII/III und dem Protonierungsgrad der Carbonsäurefunktion ließ sich ein Mechanismus für die ablaufenden Prozesse postulieren, der im Wesentlichen von zwei Transferreaktionen ausgeht. Zum einen dem Elektronentransfer (ET) von der Elektrode zum Eisenzentrum und zum anderen von einem Protonentransfer (PT) zum sechsten Liganden am Eisenzentrum des Porphyrins. Durch die Interpretation der SERR- und SEIRA-Spektroskopie konnte bewiesen werden, dass der Protonierungsgrad der Carbonsäurefunktion am Hangmankomplex tatsächlich den ET und den PT beeinflusst. Nur unter neutralen und schwach basischen Bedingungen scheint ein PCET-Mechanismus am wahrscheinlichsten. / Major fuel sources for the world’s energy supply are carbon-based (gas, oil, coal), with an associated emission of climate-damaging carbon dioxide. Therefore, we need a change from a fossil fuels based energy system to a system of renewable energy. The solution of these energy problems is the development of clean and sustainable fuel technologies. One possible pathway is the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen to drive a hydrogen based society. The oxidation of water into protons and dioxygen by a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is the critical - high-energetic - half reaction of this process. [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, tpy = 2,2′;6′,2″-terpyridine) is the archetype of many known single-site ruthenium complexes used for catalytic water oxidation. Its efficiency is likely influenced by installing a proton-donor/acceptor functionality in proximity to the catalytic site because the reaction mechanism is believed to occur by nucleophilic attack of a water molecule on a high-valent metal–oxo species assisted by hydrogen-bonding interactions. Thus, a new metal complex based on the „Hangman“ motive was synthesized and characterized. The known [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+-unit is connected to a xanthene backbone with a carboxylic acid-function in proximity to the catalytic site. The proof of the catalytic activity and mechanistic investigations are the target of current work. Iron hangman complexes exhibit improved catalytic properties regarding O2 and H2O2 reduction, which are attributed to the presence of a proton donating group in defined vicinity of the catalytic metal centre. Surface enhanced resonance Raman (SERR) and IR (SEIRA) spectro-electrochemistry has been applied concomitantly for the first time to analyse such iron hangman porphyrin complexes attached to electrodes in aqueous solution. While the SERR spectra yield information about the redox state of the central iron, the SEIRA spectra show protonation and deprotonation events of the 2nd coordination sphere. To investigate the influence of a proton active hanging group on the heterogeneous electron transfer between the iron porphyrin and the electrode, two hangman complexes with either an acid or ester functional group were compared. Using time resolved SERR spectroscopy the electron transfer rates of both complexes were determined. Complexes with an acid group showed a slow electron transfer rate at neutral pH that increased significantly at pH 4, while complexes with an ester group exhibited a much faster, but pH independent rate. SEIRA measurements were able to determine directly for the first time a pKa value of 3.4 of a carboxylic hanging group in the immobilized state that shifted to 5.2 in D2O buffer solution. The kinetic data showed an increase of the heterogeneous electron transfer rate with the protonation degree of the acid groups. From these results, we propose a PCET which is strongly modulated by the protonation state of the acid hanging group via hydrogen bond interactions.