THE ROLE OF COCATALYSTS IN THE CATALYTIC NITROGEN REDUCTION BY SODIUMAMALGAM

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and organic phosphi nes are cocatalysts of the nitrogen reduction by sodium amalgam in whi ch polynuclear molybdenum complexes serve as catalysts. PVA and PC are adsorbed on the amalgam surface and involve catalytic complexes, thus facilitating their contact with a reducing agent. Phosphines retard t he decay of the catalytic centers in the course of the reaction, thus increasing the yield of the reduction products.