Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The combustion of nitrogen‐containing fuels and increasing use of nitrogen‐rich fertilizers is accumulating NOx pollutants in the environment. Copper is an attractive catalyst material for reductive NOx remediation, yet ambiguity persists regarding the elementary bond‐making and bond‐breaking steps occurring at the catalyst interface. Starting from a molecular tricuprous μ3‐oxo complex (1), an unusually reduced and highly reactive surface‐like cluster (2) has been prepared. Characterization data and electronic structure calculations are consistent with 2 featuring σ‐aromaticity that primes the tricopper core for two‐electron chemistry. Cluster 2 mediates catalytic reductive coupling of NO to N2, proceeding through N2O, via sequential oxygen atom transfer steps. Stoichiometric reduction of NO3− and NO2− is also disclosed, mapping the complete denitrification cycle at an atomically‐precise molecular cluster.
Authors: Andrew W. Beamer, Joshua A. Buss
Institution: University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,510
OpenAlex ID: W4407280150