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Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Ammonia Synthesis at Low Pressure
Published on: August 23, 2017
Ammonia Synthesis at Room Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure from N2 : A Boron-Radical Approach
Soukaina Bennaamane1, Barbara Rialland1, Lhoussain Khrouz2
1Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
Ammonia, NH3 , is an essential molecule, being part of fertilizers. It is currently synthesized via the Haber-Bosch process, from the very stable dinitrogen molecule, N2 and dihydrogen, H2 . This process requires high temperatures and pressures, thereby generating ca 1.6 % of the global CO2 emissions. Alternative strategies are needed to realize the functionalization of N2 to NH3 under mild conditions. Here, we show that boron-centered radicals provide a means of activating N2 at room temperature and atmospheric pressure whilst allowing a radical process to occur, leading to the production of borylamines. Subsequent hydrolysis released NH4 + , the acidic form of NH3 . EPR spectroscopy supported the intermediacy of radicals in the process, corroborated by DFT calculations, which rationalized the mechanism of the N2 functionalization by R2 B radicals.
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