Green Chemistry Breakthrough: Transforming Ammonia Into a Sustainable Nitrogen Source

January 15, 2024

Reversible activation and catalytic transfer of ammonia by compounds of main group elements. Ammonia (NH3) is composed of nitrogen and hydrogen and is one of the most commonly manufactured chemicals worldwide. It plays a vital role in producing large amounts of nitrogen-based compounds. If amines could be produced by adding ammonia to unsaturated hydrocarbons, it would be a breakthrough in chemistry, since amines are organic derivatives of ammonia and are in high demand in various fields.
By breaking the strong bonds between nitrogen and hydrogen, known as activation, ammonia molecules can, at least theoretically, be transferred to other molecules, such as unsaturated hydrocarbons. For example, converting ammonia into ethylene, an important substance in the chemical industry, produces ethylamine. This addition is called hydroamination by chemists. However, ammonia and ethylene do not react easily. A catalyst is required for the reaction to occur. However, traditional catalysts based on transition metals react with ammonia and become inactive.
Professor Frank Breher and Dr. Felix Kramer of the AOC, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Paderborn and the Complutense University of Madrid, have developed an ammonia activation system that is not based on transition metals but on main group elements. The "atom-economic" process of activation and subsequent transfer of ammonia produces no waste,
Researchers have proposed an NH3 transfer reaction catalyzed by a catalyst based on main group elements for the first time. "So far we have only converted activated substrates, not unsaturated hydrocarbons. But we are getting closer to the reaction of our dreams," says Breer. "We anticipate that our first proof-of-principle will initiate further work on N-H activated ammonia as an accessible and sustainable nitrogen source."

From:Sci Tech Daily