Synthesis and structural organization of ruthenium(IV) cluster Li8Ru2OCl14 and its catalytic properties in the water oxidation reaction

Abstract

The synthesis of binuclear ruthenium(IV) oxochloride complex and reaction of the latter with LiCl in a 2.5 M HCl solution have been carried out. The reaction of Ru(IV) binding in solution leads to the formation of a new cluster compound Li₈Ru₂OCl₁₄ (I) whose molecular structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are tetragonal, space group \(I\bar 42m\), a = 7.08 Å, c = 17.00 Å, V = 852.18 ų, Z = 2. Supramolecular structural self-organization of I includes the formation of layers parallel to the xy plane. The high thermal stability of complex I and retention of its dinuclear structure in an acidic environment have been shown by thermal analysis and IR and electronic spectroscopy. It has been found that cluster I is an efficient catalyst for water oxidation in artificial photosynthesis.