Electrochemical hydrogen formation catalysed by a Pd8 string.

The linear Pd8 complex supported by tetraphosphines reacted with HBF4 to give an unprecedented linear tetrapalladium complex with a terminal hydride, which promoted electrocatalytic hydrogen formation from HBF4 in acetonitrile. The 1D coordination polymer of Pd8 chain confined within Nafion film was applied to the electrocatalytic H2 formation.