The synthesis of ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process is one of the most important industrial processes in the world today.  Unfortunately, it is also one of the most energy intensive processes accounting for more than 1% of the world's energy consumption.  Hydrazine (N2H4) is potentially a key intermediate in the conversion of N2 and H2 to ammonia and it has also been claimed to be a promising hydrogen storage material.  We report both the dehydrogenation of hydrazine by PCP-pincer iridium type catalysts to N2 and H2, as well as the N-N bond cleavage reaction to give ammonia and N2.  Experimental evidence will be discussed in reference to a proposed computationally derived mechanism.

Dual reactivity of pincer iridium complexes toward hydrazine

247th National Meeting (2014)

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