Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation by Pyridyl-Substituted Ferrocenes.

ABSTRACT: Ammonia (NH₃) is a promising carbon-free fuel when prepared from sustainable resources. First-row transition metal electrocatalysts for ammonia oxidation are an enabling technology for sustainable energy production. We describe electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation using robust molecular complexes based on Earth-abundant iron. Electrochemical studies of ferrocenes with covalently attached pyridine arms reveal facile ammonia oxidation in DMSO (2.4 M NH₃) with modest overpotentials (η = 770-820 mV) and turnover frequencies (125-560 h^-1). Experimental and computational studies indicate that the pendant pyridyl base serves as an H-bond acceptor with an N-H bond of ammonia that transfers a proton to the pyridine following oxidation by the attached ferrocenium moiet

SUBMITTER: Ahmed ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11869277 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature