Macrocyclic cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) as a homogeneous electrocatalyst for water oxidation under neutral conditions

Chem Commun (Camb). 2020 Feb 13;56(13):1968-1971. doi: 10.1039/c9cc08838e.

Abstract

Highly water-soluble cyanocobalamin (also known as vitamin B12) is the most structurally macrocyclic complex comprising cobalt in the center of a corrin ring. Interestingly, it acts as a robust electrocatalyst in water oxidation at ∼0.58 V overpotential with a faradaic efficiency of 97.50% under neutral buffered conditions. The catalyst is impressively stable even after long-term bulk electrolysis, and homogeneous in nature, as established by a series of experiments and characterization techniques.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cobalt / chemistry
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Potentiometry
  • Vitamin B 12 / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Water
  • Cobalt
  • Vitamin B 12