Coordination compounds having redox non-innocent ligands and flow batteries containing the same

Abstract

Electrolyte solutions for flow batteries and other electrochemical systems can contain an active material capable of transferring more than one electron per oxidation-reduction cycle. Such active materials can include coordination compounds containing a metal center and at least one redox non-innocent ligand. Accordingly, flow batteries can include a first half-cell having a first electrolyte solution therein, where the first electrolyte solution contains a coordination compound having at least one redox non-innocent ligand coordinated to a metal center. Particular redox non-innocent ligands can include those bearing a quinone functional group, such as substituted catecholates bearing a quinone functional group. Some active materials can include compositions containing a coordination compound having at least one redox non-innocent ligand coordinated to a metal center, where the at least one redox non-innocent ligand is a substituted catecholate or a salt thereof bearing a quinone functional group.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.