Characterization and Activity Analysis of Catalytic Water Oxidation Induced by Hybridization of [(OH2)(terpy)Mn(μ-O)2Mn(terpy)(OH2)]3+ and Clay Compounds

Hybridization of [(OH2)(terpy)Mn(μ-O)2Mn(terpy)(OH2)]3+ (terpy = 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine) (1) and mica clay yielded catalytic dioxygen (O2) evolution from water using a CeIV oxidant. The reaction was characterized by various spectroscopic measurements and a kinetic analysis of O2 evolution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicates the interlayer separation of mica changes upon intercalation of 1. The UV−vis diffuse reflectance (RD) and Mn K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) data suggest that the oxidation state of the di-μ-oxo Mn2 core is MnIII−MnIV, but it is not intact. In aqueous solution, the reaction of 1 with a large excess CeIV oxidant led to decomposition of 1 to form MnO4 - ion without O2 evolution, most possibly by its disproportionation. However, MnO4 - formation is suppressed by adsorption of 1 on clay. The maximum turnover number for O2 evolution catalyzed by 1 adsorbed on mica and kaolin was 15 and 17, respectively, under the optimum conditions. The catalysis occurs in the interlayer space of mica or on the surface of kaolin, whereas MnO4 - formation occurs in the liquid phase, involving local adsorption equilibria of adsorbed 1 at the interface between the clay surface and the liquid phase. The analysis of O2 evolution activity showed that the catalysis requires cooperation of two equivalents of 1 adsorbed on clay. The second-order rate constant based on the concentration (mol g-1) of 1 per unit weight of clay was 2.7 ± 0.1 mol-1 s-1 g for mica, which is appreciably lower than that for kaolin (23.9 ± 0.4 mol-1 s-1 g). This difference can be explained by the localized adsorption of 1 on the surface for kaolin. However, the apparent turnover frequency ((k O2)app/s-1) of 1 on mica was 2.2 times greater than on kaolin when the same fractional loading is compared. The higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) of mica statistically affords a shorter distance between the anionic sites to which 1 is attracted electrostatically, making the cooperative interaction between adsorbed molecules of 1 easier than that on kaolin. The higher CEC is important not only for attaining a higher loading but also for the higher catalytic activity of adsorbed 1.