Bimetallic nickel–cobalt hydrides in H(2) activation and catalytic proton reduction

The synergism of the electronic properties of nickel and cobalt enables bimetallic NiCo complexes to process H(2). The nickel–cobalt hydride [(dppe)Ni(pdt)(H)CoCp*](+) ([1H](+)) arising from protonation of the reduced state 1 was found to be an efficient electrocatalyst for H(2) evolution with Cl(2)CHCOOH, and the oxidized [Ni(ii)Co(iii)](2+) form is capable of activating H(2) to produce [1H](+). The features of stereodynamics, acid–base properties, redox chemistry and reactivity of these bimetallic NiCo complexes in processing H(2) are potentially related to the active site of [NiFe]-H(2)ases.