Abstract: A method for the generation of ammonia from dinitrogen is provided including reacting a three coordinate, low oxidation state transition metal complex with dinitrogen under substantially atmospheric pressures to obtain a metal-nitrido complex, whereby the oxidation state of the metal complex increases, and reducing the metal of the metal nitrido complex in the presence of a hydrogen source, so as to obtain NH3. A novel metal complex is provided which is capable of cleaving small molecules which includes a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, niobium, tungsten, uranium and chromium. The compound may have the formula M(NR1R2)3 where M is a transition metal; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyls, phenyls and substituted phenyls. The compound permits cleavage of nitrogen-nitrogen triple bonds.

Abstract: A method for the generation of ammonia from dinitrogen is provided including reacting a three coordinate, low oxidation state transition metal complex with dinitrogen under substantially atmospheric pressures to obtain a metal-nitrido complex, whereby the oxidation state of the metal complex increases, and reducing the metal of the metal nitrido complex in the presence of a hydrogen source, so as to obtain NH.sub.3. A novel metal complex is provided which is capable of cleaving small molecules which includes a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, niobium, tungsten, uranium and chromium. The compound may have the formula M(NR.sub.1 R.sub.2).sub.3 where M is a transition metal; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyls, phenyls and substituted phenyls. The compound permits cleavage of nitrogen-nitrogen triple bonds.

Abstract: A method for the generation of ammonia from dinitrogen is provided including reacting a three coordinate, low oxidation state transition metal complex with dinitrogen under substantially atmospheric pressures to obtain a metal-nitrido complex, whereby the oxidation state of the metal complex increases, and reducing the metal of the metal nitrido complex in the presence of a hydrogen source, so as to obtain NH.sub.3. A novel metal complex is provided which is capable of cleaving small molecules which includes a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, niobium, tungsten, uranium and chromium. The compound may have the formula M(NR.sub.1 R.sub.2).sub.3 where M is a transition metal; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyls, phenyls and substituted phenyls. The compound permits cleavage of nitrogen--nitrogen triple bonds.