Potential intermediate in CH4-assisted reduction of nitric oxide: the reactions of methyl nitrite on oxidized Mo(110)

The reactions of methyl nitrite (CH3ONO) on O-covered Mo(110) were studied in order to determine whether methyl nitrite is a possible intermediate in CH4-assisted reduction of NO. Methyl nitrite decomposes to NO and methoxy ( CH3Oads) upon adsorption at low temperature, Most NO is evolved directly in to the gas phase at 110 K, although a small fraction is trapped on the surf ace and is identified using infrared spectroscopy. Methoxy remains on the s urface until similar to 600 K, at which point it decomposes to gas phase (C H3)-C-. and adsorbed oxygen. Hence, the overall reaction is the reverse of the (CH3)-C-. + NO reaction. However, no reduction products (N-2 or N2O) ar e evolved. The absence of reduction may be due to the fact that all high co ordination sites are occupied on the O-covered surface or to the low covera ge of NO. These results are discussed in the contest of (CH3)-C-.-assisted NO reduction. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.