Synthesis of Ammonium Cyanate and Urea by Reduction of Nitric Oxide on Platinum, Rhodium, and Ruthenium Catalysts

Nearly quantitative conversion of nitric oxide (NO) into N(2)H(4)CO has been obtained in the reduction of NO with carbon monoxide and hydrogen over platinum and rhodium catalysts. Depending on the temperature of collection, N(2)H(4)CO is isolated as ammonium cyanate or its isomer, urea. The process is an effective way of recovering fixed nitrogen from dilute industrial streams containing NO. Ammonium cyanate may play a role in the reduction of NO in automotive exhaust control.