Gas‐Phase Reduction of Oxides of Nitrogen with CO Catalyzed by Atomic Transition‐Metal Cations

Abstract

A novel catalytic role for transition-metal cations in the homogeneous conversion of the nitrogen oxides NO2, NO, or N2O and CO into N2 and CO2 is demonstrated by thermodynamic and kinetic studies of gas-phase reactions of 29 transition-metal cations and some of their oxides (see scheme). Fe+, Os+, and Ir+ ions are shown to be most effective. The chemistry identified may have practical applications in new designs of catalytic converters.