1-Hydro- and 1,10-Dihydro-1,10-phenanthrolinium Perchlorates in Electrocatalytic Production of Molecular Hydrogen

The electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of 1-hydro-1,10-phenanthrolinium and 1,10-dihydro-1,10-phenanthrolinium perchlorates in formation of molecular hydrogen in the presence of CF₃COOH were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The presence of hydrogen atoms at nitrogen atoms in the heterocyclic compounds strongly influences the electrochemical properties of the compounds and the efficiency of the electrocatalytic process. In going from 1-hydro-1,10-phenanthrolinium perchlorate to 1,10-dihydro-1,10-phenanthrolinium perchlorate, the process efficiency increases (TOF and TON values are higher), despite identical mechanisms. The reaction mechanisms were studied by DFT, and the key intermediates were revealed.