Photochemical water oxidation by cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes: A mechanistic insight

Abstract

The proficiency of the cyclometalated iridium complexes [(η5-C5Me5)IrCl(L1)] (1), [(η5-C5Me5)IrCl(L2)] (2) and [(η5-C5Me5)IrCl(L3)] (3) has been examined towards photochemical water oxidation. The involvement of Ir(iv/v) in the catalytic process has been explored via CV, UV/vis, XPS spectroscopic studies and appreciable TON relative to the theoretical value of 1 from GC. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016.