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Catalytic Reduction of Cyanide to Ammonia and Methane at a Mononuclear Fe Site

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c12395· OSTI ID:2471123

Nitrogenase enzymes catalyze nitrogen reduction (N2R) to ammonia and also the reduction of non-native substrates, including the 7H+/6e reduction of cyanide to CH4 and NH3. CN and N2 are isoelectronic, and it is hence fascinating to compare the mechanisms of synthetic Fe catalysts capable of both CN and N2 reduction. Here, we describe the catalytic reduction of CN to NH3 and CH4 by a highly selective (P3Si)Fe(CN) catalyst (P3Si represents a tris(phosphine)silyl ligand). Catalysis is driven in the presence of excess acid ([Ph2NH2]OTf) and reductant ((C6H6)2Cr), with turnover as high as 73 demonstrated.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); NERSC
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
2471123
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the American Chemical Society Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 146; ISSN 0002-7863
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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