Boron: the first p-block element to fix inert N2 all the way to NH3

Abstract

Boron, the fifth lightest element, in its sub-valent state in the form of borylene is able to activate inert dinitrogen all the way to the ammonium ion. The entire conversion has been established through a successive reduction-cum-protonation sequence, through the isolation of all intermediate species involving addition of two electrons and two protons. The activation of dinitrogen by the ambiphilic borylene is a parallel tactic to that of the well-known Haber–Bosch process. This chemistry can be potentially extrapolated to the activation of similar small molecules by low valent compounds of boron and other p-block elements.