Issue 10, 2021

Catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using molybdenum complexes under ambient reaction conditions

Abstract

Nitrogen fixation using homogeneous transition metal complexes under mild reaction conditions is a challenging topic in the field of chemistry. Several successful examples of the catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using various transition metal complexes in the presence of reductants and proton sources have been reported so far, together with detailed investigations on the reaction mechanism. Among these, only molybdenum complexes have been shown to serve as effective catalysts under ambient reaction conditions, in stark contrast with other transition metal-catalysed reactions that proceed at low reaction temperature such as −78 °C. In this feature article, we classify the molybdenum-catalysed reactions into four types: reactions via the Schrock cycle, reactions via dinuclear reaction systems, reactions via direct cleavage of the nitrogen–nitrogen triple bond of dinitrogen, and reactions via the Chatt-type cycle. We describe these catalytic systems focusing on the catalytic activity and mechanistic investigations. We hope that the present feature article provides useful information to develop more efficient nitrogen fixation systems under mild reaction conditions.

Graphical abstract: Catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using molybdenum complexes under ambient reaction conditions

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
28 Okt. 2020
Accepted
16 Dec. 2020
First published
16 Dec. 2020

Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 1176-1189

Author version available

Catalytic conversion of nitrogen molecule into ammonia using molybdenum complexes under ambient reaction conditions

Y. Ashida and Y. Nishibayashi, Chem. Commun., 2021, 57, 1176 DOI: 10.1039/D0CC07146C

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