Electrochemical conversion of dinitrogen to ammonia induced by a metal complex-supported ionic liquid

Electrochemical synthesis of NH3 from dinitrogen and protons from water by using Cp2TiCl2 supported in a hydrophobic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([C9H20N](+)[(C2F5)(3)PF3](-)), was achieved in a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) cell under ambient conditions. The yield of NH3 per Cp2TiCl2 and current efficiency are 27% and 0.2%, respectively, which are improved in comparison with those reported previously. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.