Effective N2 capture by aryl cations at ambient temperature and pressure

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2021 May 12;23(18):10763-10767. doi: 10.1039/d1cp00903f.

Abstract

Here, we show that molecular N2 was efficiently captured by organic arylium cations in a well-defined manner at ambient pressure and temperature, which was monitored by on-line mass spectrometry analysis. A kinetic picture was proposed to disclose the principle of the ion-molecule reaction behavior for exclusive aryldiazonium production. The observation has an implication for direct nitrogen fixation into an organic framework via the intermediacy of such cationic species.