NITROGEN FIXATION VIA NITRIDE FORMATION AND REDUCTION OF

DINITROGEN TO AMMONIA

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a

form that plants and other organisms can use, primarily ammonia (NH3) or
nitrate (NO3-). There are various ways nitrogen fixation can occur, including
via nitride formation and reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. Here's an
overview of how this process works:

1. Nitride Formation: Nitrogen fixation via nitride formation involves the

reaction of nitrogen gas (N2) with certain metals or metalloids to form
nitrides. One example is the reaction of nitrogen gas with lithium metal to
form lithium nitride (Li3N):
6Li + N2 → 2Li3N
2. Reduction of Dinitrogen to Ammonia: Once the nitrides are formed, they
can be further reacted with water to produce ammonia. This process typically
involves the reduction of dinitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3) using hydrogen
gas (H2) under high temperature and pressure conditions, often facilitated by
metal catalysts:
Li3N + 3H2O → 3LiOH + NH3
The ammonia produced can then be further processed to form ammonium
salts or used directly by plants as a nitrogen source for growth.

This method of nitrogen fixation has applications in industrial processes for

ammonia production, such as the Haber-Bosch process, which is widely used
to produce ammonia for fertilizers and other chemical applications. However,
it's important to note that the direct formation of nitrides from nitrogen gas is
not as common as other methods of nitrogen fixation, such as biological
nitrogen fixation carried out by certain bacteria and archaea, or industrial
processes like the Bosch-Meiser synthesis.
. This process typically requires high temperatures and pressures and is often
achieved industrially through the Haber-Bosch process.

In the Haber-Bosch process, nitrogen gas is reacted with hydrogen gas (often
derived from natural gas or methane) in the presence of a catalyst, usually iron
or ruthenium, at high temperatures (around 400-500°C) and pressures (around
150-200 atmospheres). The nitrogen and hydrogen molecules adsorb onto the
catalyst surface, allowing them to react and form ammonia. The produced
ammonia can then be used as a fertilizer or in the production of various
chemicals.

The overall reaction for nitrogen fixation via the Haber-Bosch process can be
represented as follows:

N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3

This process is crucial for modern agriculture as it provides a means of

synthesizing ammonia-based fertilizers on a large scale, thereby increasing
crop yields and supporting global food production.