Photo-active Cobalt Cubane Model of an Oxygen-Evolving Catalyst

A dyad complex has been constructed as a soluble molecular model of a heterogeneous cobalt-based oxygen-evolving catalyst (Co-OEC). To this end, the Co4O4 core of a cobalt-oxo cubane was covalently appended to ReI photosensitisers. The resulting adduct was characterised both in the solid state (by X-ray diffraction) and in solution using a variety of techniques. In particular, the covalent attachment of the ReI moieties to the Co4O4 core promotes emission quenching of the ReI photocentres, with implications for the energy and electron transduction process of Co-OEC-like catalysts.