Method for producing a reduction product using a photo-regenerated transition metal catalyst

Abstract

A catalytic method of reducing chemical compounds in solution utilizing a transition metal alcoholate complex as the reducing agent is disclosed. More particularly, this active reducing complex is produced and regenerated from its oxidized inactive state simultaneously with its conversion to such inactive state during the reduction process by exposure to radiation of an appropriate wavelength and intensity. The catalytic method is particularly useful in the reduction of molecular nitrogen to hydrazine and ammonia. Other useful applications involve the reduction of hydrazine to ammonia, of aliphatic substituted hydrazine to aliphatic amines, of alkynes to alkenes and alkanes, of alkenes to alkanes, and of oxides of nitrogen and carbon.