Solar energy storage, production of hydrogen by 546-nm irradiation of a dinuclear rhodium(I) complex in acidic aqueous solution

A logical avenue for exploratory research on (Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4/)/sup 2 +/ (bridge = 1,3-diisocyanopropane) involves its excited-state reactivity behavior, as a directly coupled dinuclear redox center might be able to channel charge-transfer excitation energy into redox-substrate chemical bond formation at rates that are competitive with back electron transfer. This goal has been achieved in one important case, namely, in the reduction of protons 40 hydrogen through 546-nm irradiation of (Rh/sub 2/(bridge)/sub 4/)/sup 2 +/ in aqueous HCl solution.