MOLECULAR CATALYSTS FOR N2 CONVERSIONS AT LOWER TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES

摘要

The present invention is directed in various embodiments to catalysts and methods for activation of dinitrogen N2, (e.g., nitrogen gas) such as for reduction of N2 with a reductant in the presence of the catalyst to ammonia NH3, or conversion to nitrogen-containing products such as urea and amines. In various embodiments, the invention provides methods of preparation of ammonia and other nitrogen-containing products from nitrogen gas in the presence of a reductant such as hydrogen gas, under conditions of relatively low temperature and low pressure compared with temperatures and pressures used in art methods of nitrogen fixation (reduction). Catalysts of the invention are molecular, i.e., not heterogeneous, catalysts, soluble in a solvent medium comprising a strong base and a liquid solvent.