Electrosynthesis of ammonia

• DOI: 10.1038/317652a0
• Publication Date: 2004-11-18T05:03:42Z
• Authors: Christopher J. Pi...; Jean Talarmin
• Keywords: Degradation; Ammonia production

Since Chatt and co-workers first reported that the protolysis of the dinitrogen complex cis-[W(N2)2(PMe2Ph)4] gives ammonia1, cis-[W(N2)2(PMe2Ph)4]H+→ 2NH3 + N2 + degradation products (1) there has existed the engaging possibility that a cyclic conversion of molecular nitrogen to ammonia might be achieved at room temperature and pressure using mediators possessing an {MP4}-core, M = Mo or W. As a means of circumventing oxidative degradation of the core, coupling protonation with electronation is clearly attractive2. We describe here a system in which this has been achieved for the first time and which forms the basis of an ammonia producing cycle, scheme I in Fig. 1.