The N2 molecule is particularly inert; the N−N triple bond is one of the most stable in all of chemistry, and in addition, the molecule has no dipole moment and a very low polarizability. Therefore, one of the major challenges in chemistry today is to find new ways to activate N2.
Industrially, N2 reduction to NH3 is performed via the Haber−Bosch process at high temperature and pressure.1−5 The process uses hydrogen from natural gas or other fossil resources, and the production of ammonia, mainly for fertilizers, accounts for more than 1% of the total fossil energy consumption on Earth.
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.6b03035
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