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 M^II(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 M^II(Pc) or electrides alone. This study provides an effective electron donation route for designing catalysts with low-valence transition metals.