This work is focused on the identification and investigation of the catalytically relevant key iron species in a photocatalytic proton reduction system described by Beller and co-workers. The system is driven by visible light and consists of the low-cost [Fe3 (CO)12 ] as catalyst precursor, electron-poor phosphines P(R)3 as co-catalysts, and a standard iridium-based photosensitizer dissolved in a mixture of THF, water, and the sacrificial reagent triethylamine. The catalytic reaction system was investigated by operando continuous-flow FTIR spectroscopy coupled with H2 gas volumetry, as well as by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and cyclic voltammetry. Several iron carbonyl species were identified, all of which emerge throughout the catalytic process. Depending on the applied P(R)3 , the iron carbonyl species were finally converted into [Fe2 (CO)6 (μ-CO){μ-P(R)2 }]- . This involves a P-C cleavage reaction. The requirements of P(R)3 and the necessary reaction conditions are specified. [Fe2 (CO)6 (μ-CO){μ-P(R)2 }]- represents a self-assembling, sulfur-free [FeFe]-hydrogenase active-site mimic and shows good catalytic activity if the substituent R is electron poor. Deactivation mechanisms have also been investigated, for example, the decomposition of the photosensitizer or processes observed in the case of excessive amounts of P(R)3 . [Fe2 (CO)6 (μ-CO){μ-P(R)2 }]- has potential for future applications.
Keywords: EXAFS spectroscopy; IR spectroscopy; enzyme mimics; hydrogen; photocatalysis; proton reduction.
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