Possible intermediates in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx: differences in the reactivity of nitro-compounds and tert-butyl nitrite over γ-Al2O3

Abstract

Nitromethane decomposes over alumina to give various surface species such as isocyanates and its oxidation by O₂ yields significant amounts of ammonia; on the other hand, tert-butyl nitrite decomposes to give only surface nitrate species and mostly oxides of nitrogen are formed by reaction with O₂.