Electrochemical Ammonia Oxidation with Molecular Catalysts

Electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation (AO) provides an attractive route to a carbon-neutral fuel economy and the energy-efficient production of value-added feedstocks. The design and study of molecular catalysts can give a deeper mechanistic understanding of AO, which will aid in optimizing catalysts for overpotential, efficiency, and chemoselectivity. This Perspective introduces the topic with biological AO chemistry and then surveys the recent developments of molecular AO electrocatalysts, followed by a discussion of design strategies for new catalysts.