Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution by cobalt triaryl corroles with appended ester and carboxyl on the 10-phenyl group

Two A2B cobalt triaryl corroles bearing ester (1) or carboxylic acid group (2) at the 10-para-phenyl were prepared and used as homogeneous electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with acetic water proton sources. CV results revealed HER underwent two routes [CoIII–H]– (EECC pathway) [CoII–H]2– (ECEC intermediates low concentration. While mainly went through ECEC route high The turnover frequencies of 1 2 in neutral aqueous media 291.8 190.6 h−1, respectively, an overpotential 838 mV. Unexpectedly, exhibited significantly better activity than 2, showing factors controlling electrocatalytic corrole are complicated.