Reduction of nitroamine (NH2NO2) by vanadium(II) and chromium(II) in acid solution

Abstract

Reaction of nitroamine with vanadium(II) involves a two-electron reduction to dinitrogen, NH₂¹⁵NO₂ giving ¹⁴N–¹⁵N. Reduction of nitroamine by chromium(II) gives dinitrogen and ammonia, with an overall stoicheiometry of Δ[Cr^II] : Δ[NH₂NO₂]ca. 6 : 1. Hydrazine could not be detected in the nitroamine–Cr^II reaction. A possible mechanism for this reaction is discussed, in which a hydrazido-complex of chromium is postulated to be an intermediate.