Gold(I)‐Complex–Titania Hybrid Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production

The integration of TiO 2 with a Au I complex containing a thiocoumarin moiety resulted in a very efficient photocatalyst for the generation of H 2 . The molecular structure of the complex was preserved under the photoreaction owing to the strong Au I −S bond. The Au I complex played a determinant role in the photogeneration of H 2 by accepting the photoinduced electrons originated in TiO 2 upon light exposure. This is the first example of a Au I complex semiconductor hybrid photocatalyst. The rate of H 2 generation under dynamic conditions from water/ethanol is approximately one order of magnitude superior on a metal basis to that obtained over conventional TiO 2 decorated with Au metal nanoparticles.