Automation accelerated screening of H-bond-rich iridium photosensitisers for hydrogen generation†

In the pursuit of a stable hydrogen evolution photosensitiser, we demonstrate the incorporation of a series of our H-bond rich guanidine-styled iridium(iii) complexes into a catalytic system. Using automation accelerated catalysis screening techniques we optimised our system quickly and effectively to observe how these strongly H-bonding complexes may perform. Proven to be photo-electronically suitable, and with effective electron transfer abilities evidenced by Stern–Volmer mechanistic studies, the complexes showed modest levels of H₂ evolution in comparison to previously investigated photosensitisers with general formula [Ir(C^N)₂(N^N)].