Molybdenum complexes as catalysts for the reduction of molecular nitrogen in protic media

N₂-fixing systems in protic media consisting of different reducing agents and molybdenum complexes (initially Mo(V)) as N₂ activators form the same Mo(III) carbonyl upon replacing N₂ by carbon monoxide. When CO is removed from the carbonyl, the Mo(III) complex formed becomes again capable of catalyzing the reduction of N₂ to hydrazine by Ti(III) or Cr(II) hydroxide in aqueous alcohol. Sodium amalgam forms a particularly active system, reducting N₂ catalytically in the presence of a Mo(III) complex already at room temperature.

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