Synthesis and Characterization of a Mononuclear Nickel (II) Complex: Its Dual Electrocatalytic Performance towards Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Hydrazine Oxidation

There is high demand of clean and sustainable energy where hydrogen can be an alternative instead of fossil fuel. We report here synthesis, characterization and applications of a mononuclear Ni(II) complex, [Ni(L)2] (1), with a salen type ligand, 2,2 '-((1E,1 ' E)-(propane-1,2-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(4-bromophenol) (H2L). It has been obtained by a mild reaction with high yield. It has been characterized by the standard analytical techniques. Complex 1 has been used as an electrocatalyst in hydrogen evolution reaction where acetic acid is used as a proton source in DMF with a TOF value of 182.11 s-1. Various control experiments and results suggest the relevance of Complex 1 as the efficient electrocatalyst in the hydrogen generation from acetic acid. The metal complex has been deposited on a glassy carbon electrode and used efficiently in electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine. A mononuclear Ni(II) complex with an N,O-donor ligand has been found to be an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction using acetic acid as proton source in DMF. The glassy carbon electrode has been modified by the complex and subsequently used in electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine.image