Ammonia synthesis by the reductive N–N bond cleavage of hydrazine using an air-stable, phosphine-free ruthenium catalyst

Abstract

The development of an effective molecular catalyst to reduce hydrazine efficiently to ammonia using a suitable reductant and proton source is demanding. Herein, an unprecedented air-stable, phosphine-free ruthenium complex is used as a potent catalyst for hydrazine hydrate reduction to generate ammonia using SmI₂ and water under ambient reaction conditions. Maximizing the flow of electrons from the reductant to the hydrazine hydrate via the metal centre results in a greater yield of ammonia while minimizing the evolution of H₂ gas as a competing product.