Electrochemical conversion of dinitrogen to ammonia induced by a metal complex–supported ionic liquid

•The electrochemical synthesis of NH3 from N2 and proton by using Cp2TiCl2.•The yield of NH3 per Cp2TiCl2 in ionic liquid was higher than that in organic solvent.•The ionic liquid assists in the dissociation of Cl anion from the Cp2TiCl2 and promotes a decrease in the activation energy.

Electrochemical synthesis of NH3 from dinitrogen and protons from water by using Cp2TiCl2 supported in a hydrophobic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([C9H20N]+[(C2F5)3PF3]−), was achieved in a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) cell under ambient conditions. The yield of NH3 per Cp2TiCl2 and current efficiency are 27% and 0.2%, respectively, which are improved in comparison with those reported previously.