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Abstract Metal‐Organic Frameworks (MOFs) recently emerged as a new platform for the realization of integrated devices for artificial photosynthesis. However, there remain few demonstrations of rational tuning of such devices for improved performance. Here, a fast molecular water oxidation catalyst working via water nucleophilic attack is integrated into the MOF MIL‐142, wherein Fe₃O nodes absorb visible light, leading to charge separation. Materials are characterized by a range of structural and spectroscopic techniques. New, [Ru(tpy)(Qc)(H₂O)]⁺(tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine and Qc = 8‐quinolinecarboxylate)‐doped Fe MIL‐142 achieved a high photocurrent (1.6 × 10⁻³A·cm⁻²) in photo‐electrocatalytic water splitting at pH = 1. Unassisted photocatalytic H₂evolution is also reported with Pt as the co‐catalyst (4.8 µmol g⁻¹min⁻¹). The high activity of this new system enables hydrogen gas capture from an easy‐to‐manufacture, scaled‐up prototype utilizing MOF deposited on FTO glass as a photoanode. These findings provide insights for the development of MOF‐based light‐driven water‐splitting assemblies utilizing a minimal amount of precious metals and Fe‐based photosensitizers. 

Linear free−energy scaling relationships (LFESRs) and regression analysis may predict the catalytic performance of heterogeneous and recently, homogenous water oxidation catalysts (WOCs). This study analyses thirteen homogeneous Ru−based catalysts—some, the most active catalysts studied: the Ru(tpy−R)(QC) and Ru(tpy−R)(4−pic)2 complexes, where tpy is 2,2’;6’,2”terpyridine, QC is 8−quinolinecarboxylate and 4−pic is 4−picoline. Typical relationships studied among heterogenous catalysts cannot be applied to homogeneous catalysts. The selected group of structurally similar catalysts with impressive catalytic activity deserves closer computational and statistical analysis of multiple reaction step energetics correlating with measured catalytic activity. We report general methods of LFESR analysis yield insufficiently robust relationships between descriptor variables. However, volcano−plot−based analysis grounded in Sabatier’s principle reveals ideal relative energies of the RuIV = O and RuIV−OH intermediates and optimal changes in free energies of water nucleophilic attack on RuV = O. A narrow range of RuIV−OH to RuV = O redox potentials corresponding with the highest catalytic activities suggests facile access to the catalytically competent high−valent RuV = O state, often inaccessible from RuIV = O. Our work incorporates experimental oxygen evolution rates into approaches of LFESR and Sabatier−principle−based analysis, identifying a narrow yet fertile energetic landscape to bountiful oxygen evolution activity, leading to future rational design.