Mononuclear manganese complexes as hydrogen evolving catalysts.

Molecular hydrogen (H) is one of the pillars of future non-fossil energy supply. In the quest for alternative, non-precious metal catalysts for hydrogen generation to replace platinum, biological systems such as the enzyme hydrogenase serve as a blueprint. By taking inspiration from the bio-system, mostly nickel- or iron-based catalysts were explored so far.

Mechanism of Diiron Hydrogenase Complexes Controlled by Nature of Bridging Dithiolate Ligand.

Bio-inorganic complexes inspired by hydrogenase enzymes are designed to catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A series of new diiron hydrogenase mimic complexes with one or two terminal tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine and different μ-bridging dithiolate ligands and show catalytic activity towards electrochemical proton reduction in the presence of weak and strong acids. A series of propane- and benzene-dithiolato-bridged complexes was synthesized, crystallized, and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and quantum chemical calculations.

Mitigating losses: how scientific organisations can help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early-career researchers.

Scientific collaborations among nations to address common problems and to build international partnerships as part of science diplomacy is a well-established notion. The international flow of people and ideas has played an important role in the advancement of the 'Sciences' and the current pandemic scenario has drawn attention towards the genuine need for a stronger role of science diplomacy, science advice and science communication. In dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, visible interactions across science, policy, science communication to the public and diplomacy worldwide have promptly emerged.

Correction: Mitigating losses: how scientific organisations can help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early-career researchers.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00944-1.].

Switching Site Reactivity in Hydrogenase Model Systems by Introducing a Pendant Amine Ligand.

Hydrogenases are versatile enzymatic catalysts with an unmet hydrogen evolution reactivity (HER) from synthetic bio-inspired systems. The binuclear active site only has one-site reactivity of the distal Fe atom. Here, binuclear complexes [Fe(CO)(μ-Mebdt)(P(4-CHOCH))] and [Fe(CO)(μ-Mebdt)(PPhPy)] are presented, which show electrocatalytic activity in the presence of weak acids as a proton source for the HER.