Nitrogen fixation electrochemical

Karrer, S. Phenomena in the Electric Arc Process of Nitrogen Fixation, Trans. Am. Electrochem. Soc. 48, 223-32... 

Electron transfer reactions are important in many areas. In biological systems, processes like photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and aerobic respiration (the process your body uses to make energy using oxygen) all rely heavily on electron transfer reactions. Electron transfer reactions are also frequently used to obtain pure metals from ore. Electrochemical cells (see Analytical Chemistry ) also rely on electron transfer reactions the batteries that power your cellular phone and other devices use electron transfer reactions to do so. 

Dr. M.T. Duarte (Institute Superior Tecnico) for the X-ray diffraction analysis of one of the isocyanide complexes, Dr.R. Henderson (Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Univ. Sussex) for stopped-flow kinetic studies. Dr. E.G. Bakalbassis and Prof. C.A. Tsipis (Aristotle Univ., Thessaloniki)for the extended Huckel MO calculations, as well as, from our laboratory, Dr. M.F.N.N. Carvalho (some isocyanide and aminocarbyne complexes, and stopped-flow studies). Lie. M.A.N.D.A. Lemos (electrochemical studies). Lie. S.P.R. Almeida and Lie. M.F.C. Guedes da Silva (some vinylidene and carbyne complexes, and electrochemical studies). 

The above ammonia synthesis processes take place in nonaqueous solution. Their chemical environment is very different from that of biological nitrogen fixation. They are not true electrochemical ammonia synthesis because the electrochemical method is used for regeneration of precursor of complex only. 

Substrates 1-4, containing Rp substituents (Cf. eqs. 1-3) have been prepared according to literature procedures [13]. Their electrochemical behaviour and in particular, the CO2 fixation under mild conditions have been examined in the presence of several nickel(II) complexes used as catalyst precursors. Ni(II) derivatives associated to polydentate nitrogen ligands have been reported as efficient catalysts in the electrochemical carboxylation of atkynes [14] and diynes... 

While BASF was at first interested in electrochemical fixation of nitrogen, Haber decided to return to his earlier studies started in 1903 on the catalytic formation of ammonia from its elements, nitrogen and hydrogen. During 1907, the academic work... 

It is ironic that the Odda process is almost forgotten, even in Norway. This is especially so when we consider that although the electrochemical fixation of nitrogen was a scientific landmark that has been justly celebrated, laid the foundation for the largest Norwegian industrial enterprise for most of this century (Norsk Hydro), and made its... 

The efficiency of both the natural and electrochemical processes are limited as 1 mol of hydrogen is always produced along with the 2 moles of ammonia. The rate-limiting step in these low-temperature fixation processes has been shown to be the hydrogenation of the terminal nitrogen rather than nitrogen dissociation. 

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