A water-soluble polypyridine copper complex Cu(dpp)(ClO4)(2) (1, dpp = 2,9-di(pyridin-2-yl)1,10-Phenanthroline) enables to electrocatalyze H-2 generation from neutral phosphate buffer solution at a relatively low overpotential of 520 mV vs. SHE. Sustained proton reduction catalysis occurs at glassy carbon electrode at -1.4 V vs. SHE for 2 h to give H-2 with TONs of 734 mol H-2 (mol catalyst)(-1) cm(-2) and 95% Faradaic yield. CVs, UV-Vis spectra, SEM, EDX and Tyndall analysis reveals that 1 has the desired stability and functions as a molecular electrocatalyst under the conditions. Due to the relatively low over potential and high stability, light-driven hydrogen production based on 1 were also carried out with a TONs of 6 mol H-2 (mol catalyst)(-1) in an aqueous solution. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.