Efficient electrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 catalyzed by lithium

A novel electrochemical N2 reduction system is reported. Ammonia was formed with a significant current efficiency (up to 8%) by a simple electrolysis, which was conducted under N2 now (1 atm) in a solution of LiClO4 (0.2 M) in tetrahydrofuran/ethanol (99:1 v/v) on some metal electrodes. Higher current efficiency (48.7%) for NH3 formation was achieved when the electrolysis was conducted under high pressure of N2 (50 atm). Lithium seemed to act as a catalyst (mediator) in this electrochemical system.