Catalytic Activity and Mechanistic Investigations of the Nitrido Molybdenum Complex [(PPP)Mo(N)(I)] in the Electrochemical Reduction of N2

In the context of environmental concerns, waste reduction, and energy saving measures, much efforts have recently focused on strategies allowing efficient transformation of N2 into valuable NR3 products. We report here the first electrocatalytic transformation of chloroboranes into aminoboranes using a (triphosphine)­Mo-nitrido complex. Based on extensive electrochemical and spectroscopic characterizations, reaction intermediates are identified and a catalytic cycle is proposed, highlighting the crucial role of both solvent and electrolyte.