Photosensitized Water Oxidation by Use of a Bioinspired Manganese Catalyst

Manganificent potential: A dinuclear manganese catalyst contains metal centers that are coordinated by a central phenolate, with adjoining imidazole and carboxylate groups, which are all important functionalities in the natural oxygen‐evolving center. The complex catalyzes the conversion of water to oxygen in the presence of a single‐electron oxidant [Ru(bpy)3]3+ (see picture, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, A=acceptor).