Design, synthesis and characterization of a co-photocatalyst based on a copper (II) complex of S,S′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-thioethane for hydrogen production under visible light

The reaction of S,S'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-thioethane (bpte) and CuCl2 afforded a copper (II) complex, [(bpte)CuCl2] that can serve as a catalyst for photochemical driven hydrogen evolution from water. Under blue light, combining with CdS nanorods (CdS NRs) as a photosensitizer, and ascorbic acid (H(2)A) as a sacrificial electron donor, [(bpte)CuCl2] can catalyze hydrogen generation in heterogeneous environments and can last for 40 h. Under an optimal condition, the system achieves a turnover number (TON) of 2293 mol H-2 per mole of catalyst during 10 h irradiation, and the highest apparent quantum yield (AQY) is similar to 10.78% at 469 nm.