Single and Double NH Bond Activation of Ammonia by [Al2O3].+: Room Temperature Formation of the Aminyl Radical and Nitrene

Crime scene: NH bond activation. When ammonia gets in the crosshairs of [Al2O3].+, the reaction is not limited to a single hydrogen-atom transfer, double hydrogen abstraction takes place as well and free nitrene is liberated at room temperature. These results are confirmed by mass spectrometric and theoretical investigations.