A heterometallic thiomolybdate cluster, Cp*3CoMo2S4 (Cp* = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienide) has been synthesized and identified as a molecular electrocatalyst for proton reduction in dimethylformamide. Compared with its homometallic congener (Cp*3Mo3S4), cobalt incorporation improves activity by lowering the overpotential for proton reduction, consistent with the contrasting catalytic performance of MoS2 and its Co-doped derivative. Isolation of the reduced form of Cp*3CoMo2S4 and subsequent reactivity studies provide insight into the reaction pathway. These findings establish Cp*3CoMo2S4 as a molecular model for extended sulfide materials.

Learn more about Prof. Matson as she discusses her career, the exciting research currently happening in her lab group, and what this award means to her.

Combining a molecular thiomolybdate cluster, [Mo3S13]2−, with cadmium selenide quantum dots capped with tetraethyleneglycol monomethyl ether phosphonate (TEGPA) ligands results in a highly active…

Understanding how modification of molecular structures changes the thermochemistry of H atom uptake can provide design criteria for the formation of highly active catalysts for reductive transformatio...