Synthesis of metal (Ga, Co and Fe) 5,15-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-10-ethoxycarbonylcorrole and their electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity.

[Display omitted] • New A 2 B metallocorroles (metal = Ga, Co, Fe) bearing ethoxycarbonyl and pentafluorophenyl groups had been synthesized and characterized. • Gallium corrole was used in hydrogen evolution reaction for the first time. • Central metal ion and proton source play an important role in adjusting HER catalytic activity of metal corroles. 5,15-bis(pentalfluorophenyl)-10-ethoxycarbonylcorrole and their metal complexes (metal = Ga, Co, Fe) had been synthesized and characterized (new complexes). These metal complexes had been used as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in organic acid and aqueous medium, in which the gallium corrole was firstly used for HER. The results showed that the redox potential of central metal atom for metal-centered metal (eg. Co and Fe) corroles plays a significant role in adjusting catalytic HER activity. Gallium corrole is a ligand-centered HER catalyst, the electronic structure of corrole ligand may play a key role in controlling the electrocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]