Photocatalytic multielectron photoreduction of 18-tungstodiphosphate in the presence of organic compounds — production of hydrogen

Polyoxometalates in photocatalysis

Recent developments in polyoxometalate photochemistry are discussed with a focus on visible light driven productive chemical reactions. Special attention is given to the fundamental photochemistry of polyoxometalates and the effects on the resulting photoprocesses.

Porphyrin-Sensitized Evolution of Hydrogen using Dawson and Keplerate Polyoxometalate Photocatalysts

Hydrogen evolution using photocatalytic systems based on artificial photosynthesis is a major approach toward solar energy conversion and storage. In the polyoxometalate-based photocatalytic systems proposed in the past, middle/near UV light irradiation and noble-metal catalysts were mainly used. Although recently polyoxometalates were sensitized in visible light, photosensitizers or catalysts based on noble metals, and/or poor activity of polyoxometalates were generally obtained. Here we show the highly efficient [turnover number (TON)=215] hydrogen evolution induced by the zinc(II) mesotetrakis(N-methyl-pyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (ZnTMPyP⁴⁺ ) sensitization of a series of polyoxometalate catalysts (two Dawson type, P₂ Mo₁₈ O₆₂^6- and P₂ W₁₈ O₆₂^6- anions, and one Keplerate {Mo₁₃₂ } cluster) in a visible-light-driven, noble-metal-free, and fully water-soluble system. We attributed the high efficiency for hydrogen evolution to the multi-electron reduction of polyoxometalates and found that: (a) both Dawson polyoxometalates exhibit higher hydrogen evolution efficiency upon ZnTMPyP⁴⁺ sensitization in relation to the direct photoreduction of those compounds; (b) the P₂ Mo₁₈ O₆₂^6- anion is more efficient (TON=65 vs. 38, respectively) for hydrogen evolution than the P₂ W₁₈ O₆₂^6- anion; and (c) the high nuclearity Keplerate {Mo₁₃₂ } cluster exhibits the highest efficiency (TON=215) for hydrogen evolution compared with the polyoxometalates studied.

Photochemical oxidation of water and reduction of polyoxometalate anions at interfaces of water with ionic liquids or diethylether

Photoreduction of [P(2)W(18)O(62)](6-), [S(2)Mo(18)O(62)](4-), and [S(2)W(18)O(62)](4-) polyoxometalate anions (POMs) and oxidation of water occurs when water-ionic liquid and water-diethylether interfaces are irradiated with white light (275-750 nm) or sunlight. The ionic liquids (ILs) employed were aprotic ([Bmim]X; Bmim = (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, X = BF(4), PF(6)) and protic (DEAS = diethanolamine hydrogen sulphate; DEAP = diethanolamine hydrogen phosphate). Photochemical formation of reduced POMs at both thermodynamically stable and unstable water-IL interfaces led to their initial diffusion into the aqueous phase and subsequent extraction into the IL phase. The mass transport was monitored visually by color change and by steady-state voltammetry at microelectrodes placed near the interface and in the bulk solution phases. However, no diffusion into the organic phase was observed when [P(2)W(18)O(62)](6-) was photo-reduced at the water-diethylether interface. In all cases, water acted as the electron donor to give the overall process: 4POM + 2H(2)O + hν → 4POM(-) + 4H(+) + O(2). However, more highly reduced POM species are likely to be generated as intermediates. The rate of diffusion of photo-generated POM(-) was dependent on the initial concentration of oxidized POM and the viscosity of the IL (or mixed phase system produced in cases in which the interface is thermodynamically unstable). In the water-DEAS system, the evolution of dioxygen was monitored in situ in the aqueous phase by using a Clark-type oxygen sensor. Differences in the structures of bulk and interfacial water are implicated in the activation of water. An analogous series of reactions occurred upon irradiation of solid POM salts in the presence of water vapor.

Electrochemical investigation of photooxidation processes promoted by sulfo-polyoxometalates: coupling of photochemical and electrochemical processes into an effective catalytic cycle

Oxidative photocurrents measured upon irradiation by a 7-W visible light (wavelength 312-700 nm) demonstrated that the sulfo-polyoxometalate anion clusters [S2W18O62]4- (1a), [S2Mo18O62]4- (1b), and [SMo12O40]2- (2) may be activated photochemically to oxidize the organic substrates benzyl alcohol, ethanol, and (-)-menthol. In the case of catalytic photooxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde in the presence of 1a, quantitative electrochemical methods have identified pathways for the oxidation of reduced forms of 1 generated during the catalysis. More generally, the oxidation pathways P(n+2)- + 2H+ <==> Pn- + H2 and 2P(n+2)- + O2 + 4H+ <==> 2Pn- + 2H2O have been evaluated by monitoring acidified acetonitrile solutions of the 2e(-)-reduced clusters by rotating disk electrode voltammetry under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, respectively. Neither of the reduced forms 1b(2e-) nor 2(2e-) reacted under these conditions. In contrast, 1a(2e-) was oxidized via both pathways, consistent with its more negative redox potential, with the rate of oxidation by air-oxygen being significantly faster than that by H+. The present work demonstrated that the crucial step necessary to oxidize reduced catalyst in photocatalytic reactions involving the anions studied may be achieved or accelerated by application of an external potential more positive than the first redox potential of the polyoxometalate anion. Voltammetric analysis revealed that this in situ electrolytic regeneration of the reduced catalyst is an option that leads to a viable photoelectrocatalytic pathway, even when the H+ and O2 pathways are not available.