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Electrochemical Reduction of N 2 to NH 3 at Low Potential by a Molecular Aluminum Complex
Author(s) -
Sherbow Tobias J.,
Thompson Emily J.,
Arnold Amela,
Sayler Richard I.,
Britt R. David,
Berben Louise A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201804454
Subject(s) - electrochemistry , ammonia production , stoichiometry , catalysis , ammonia , electron transfer , chemistry , characterization (materials science) , redox , inorganic chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , electrode , organic chemistry
Electrochemical generation of ammonia (NH 3 ) from nitrogen (N 2 ) using renewable electricity is a desirable alternative to current NH 3 production methods, which consume roughly 1 % of the world's total energy use. The use of catalysts to manipulate the required electron and proton transfer reactions with low energy input is also a chemical challenge that requires development of fundamental reaction pathways. This work presents an approach to the electrochemical reduction of N 2 into NH 3 using a coordination complex of aluminum(III), which facilitates NH 3 production at −1.16 V vs. SCE. Reactions performed under 15 N 2 liberate 15 NH 3 . Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic characterization of a reduced intermediate and investigations of product inhibition, which limit the reaction to sub‐stoichiometric, are also presented.