Transition Metal Dinitrogen Complex

Transition Metal Dinitrogen Complex

Metal dinitrogen complexes are a coordination compounds that contain the dinitrogen (N₂) as a ligand. In the area of coordination chemistry, the atomic and diatomic forms of nitrogen are distinguished, although otherwise "nitrogen" refers to N₂.

Metal complexes of N₂ have been studied since 1965 when the first complex was reported by Allen and Senoff. This complex, 2+ was synthesised from hydrazine hydrate and ruthenium trichloride and consists of a 16e- 2+ centre attached to one end of N₂. Interest in such complexes arises because N₂ comprises the majority of the atmosphere and because many useful compounds contain nitrogen atoms. Biological nitrogen fixation probably occurs via the binding of N₂ to a metal center in the enzyme nitrogenase, followed by a series of steps that involve electron transfer and protonation. The hydrogenation of N₂ is only weakly exothermic, hence the industrial hydrogenation of nitrogen via the Haber-Bosch Process employs high pressures and high temperatures.