Mechanism of a one-photon two-electron process in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from ascorbic acid with a cobalt chlorin complex.

A one-photon two-electron process was made possible in photocatalytic H2 evolution from ascorbic acid with a cobalt(II) chlorin complex [Co(II)(Ch)] via electron transfer from ascorbate to the excited state of [Ru(bpy)3](2+) followed by electron transfer from [Ru(bpy)3](+) to Co(II)(Ch) with proton to give the hydride complex, which reacts with proton to produce H2. [Co(III)(Ch)](+) was reduced by ascorbate to reproduce Co(II)(Ch).

Selective electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO with a cobalt chlorin complex adsorbed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes in water.

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 occurred efficiently using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a cobalt(II) chlorin complex adsorbed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes at an applied potential of -1.1 V vs. NHE to yield CO with a Faradaic efficiency of 89% with hydrogen production accounting for the remaining 11% at pH 4.6.