Nitrogen is produced by detouring synthetic ammonia, which requires lots of energy and explosive hydrogen gas under harsh conditions during the process. But, now, scientists are working on finding ways for fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the form of higher-value organic compounds that are intermediates for many pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and chemicals used in electronics that will be environment-friendly.
Interestingly, in the new method, nitrogen is bound to carbon dioxide in which the nitrogen-nitrogen bond is maintained, forming a hydrazine derivative. This reaction is promoted by metal hafnium.
This ‘direct’ formation of a carbon-nitrogen bond is required for the formation of organo-nitrogen compounds without resorting to ammonia! This is a serious challenge for scientists towards contributing to the environment.
This new method is discovered by chemists working with Paul J. Chirik at Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) and is published in the journal Angewandte Chemie.
