A series of 3d transition-metal complexes bearing o-phenylenediamine ligands were prepared and structurally determined.
All o-phenylenediamine complexes exhibited photo-induced H2-evolving activity.
Replacement of o-phenylenediamine ligands with 8-aminoquinoline ligands dramatically decreased H2-evolving activity.
An obvious metal-ion dependency was observed for the catalytic systems including hydroquinone as a proton/electron donor.