Electride-Induced Electron Transfer to Metal Phthalocyanines: A Mechanistic and Catalytic Study

Recent studies have indicated that electride materials with low work-function properties are effective electron donors in surface processes, particularly in catalysis. While the electron transfer from the electride to the active metal center is a crucial step, direct experimental observation of this process has yet to be achieved. Here, the integration of stable and redox-rich metal phthalocyanine complexes MII(Pc) with electrides successfully enabled the visualization of electron transfer through observable color changes, as well as ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The proposed mechanism reveals that an electride donates electrons mainly to the 3d orbitals of divalent Co(II) or Fe(II) ions to produce monovalent Co(I) or Fe(I) anions, with less influence on ligand orbitals. Furthermore, the resulting MPc@electride composite can effectively trigger methyl methacrylate polymerization reactions with high conversions, which cannot be achieved by pure MII(Pc) or electrides alone. This study provides an effective electron donation route for designing catalysts with low-valence transition metals.