Catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia at well-defined single metal sites
Dinitrogen (N 2 ) is reduced to ammonia at room temperature and 1 atm with molybdenum catalysts that contain tetradentate [HIPTN 3 N] 3− triamidoamine ligands {[HIPTN 3 N] 3− =[{3,5-(2,4,6- i -Pr 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 C 6 H 3 NCH 2 CH 2 } 3 N] 3− , an example being [HIPTN 3 N]Mo(N 2 )} in heptane. Slow addition of the proton source ({2,6-lutidinium}{BAr′ 4 }; Ar′=3,5-(CF 3 ) 2 C 6 H 3 ) and reductant (decamethyl chromocene) assure a high yield of ammonia (63–65% in four turnovers) versus dihydrogen formation. Numerous X-ray studies, along with isolation and characterization of seven intermediates in the proposed catalytic reaction (under noncatalytic conditions), suggest that N 2 is being reduced at a sterically protected, single Mo centre that cycles between states Mo(III), Mo(IV), Mo(V) and Mo(VI).