Proton-coupled oxygen reduction at liquid-liquid interfaces catalyzed by cobalt porphine

Cobalt porphine (CoP) dissolved in the organic phase of a biphasic system is used to catalyze O2 reduction by an electron donor, ferrocene (Fc). Using voltammetry at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES), it is possible to drive this catalytic reduction at the interface as a function of the applied potential difference, where aqueous protons and organic electron donors combine to reduce O2. The current signal observed corresponds to a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reaction, as no current and no reaction can be observed in the absence of either the aqueous acid, CoP, Fc, or O2. © 2009 American Chemical Society.