A mononuclear Cu(II) complex acts as an efficient catalyst for four-electron reduction of O(2) to H(2)O. Its reduction by a ferrocene derivative (Fc*) and reaction with O(2) leads to the formation of a peroxodicopper(II) complex; this is subsequently reduced by Fc* in the presence of protons to regenerate the Cu(II) complex.
Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. fukuzumi@chem.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp
