Boron-Capped Tris(glyoximato) Cobalt Clathrochelate as a Precursor for the Electrodeposition of Nanoparticles Catalyzing H2 Evolution in Water

Electrochemical investigation of a boron-capped tris(glyoximato)cobalt clathrochelate complex in the presence of acid reveals that the catalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution results from an electrodeposition of cobalt-containing nanoparticles on the electrode surface at a modest cathodic potential. The deposited particles act as remarkably active catalysts for H(2) production in water at pH 7.