A Di-Copper-Peptoid in a Noninnocent Borate Buffer as a Fast Electrocatalyst for Homogeneous Water Oxidation with Low Overpotential

Water electrolysis is a promising approach toward low-cost renewable fuels; however, the high overpotential and slow kinetics limit its applicability. Studies suggest that either dinuclear copper (Cu) centers or the use of borate buffer can lead to efficient catalysis. We previously demonstrated the ability of peptoids-N-substituted glycine oligomers-to stabilize high-oxidation-state metal ions and to form self-assembled di-copper-peptoid complexes. Capitalizing on these features herein we report on a unique Cu-peptoid duplex, Cu2(BEE)2, that is a fast and stable homogeneous electrocatalyst for water oxidation in borate buffer at pH 9.35, with low overpotential and a high turnover frequency of 129 s-1 (peak current measurements) or 5503 s-1 (FOWA); both are the highest reported for Cu-based water electrocatalysts to date. BEE is a peptoid trimer having one 2,2'-bipyridine ligand and two ethanolic groups, easily synthesized on solid support. Cu2(BEE)2 was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and various spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, demonstrating its ability to maintain stable in four cycles of controlled potential electrolysis, leading to a high overall turnover number of 51.4 in a total of 2 h. Interestingly, the catalytic activity of control complexes having only one ethanolic side chain is 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of Cu2(BEE)2. On the basis of this comparison and on mechanistic studies, we propose that the ethanolic side chains and the borate buffer have significant roles in the high stability and catalytic activity of Cu2(BEE)2; the -OH groups facilitate protons transfer, while the borate species enables oxygen transfer toward O-O bond formation.