{"title":"Electrocatalytic C-N Coupling: Advances in Urea Synthesis and Opportunities for Alternative Products.","authors":"Parker Ballard-Kyle, Isabel Hsieh, Huiyuan Zhu","doi":"10.1002/cssc.202402566","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urea is an essential fertilizer produced through the industrial synthesis of ammonia (NH3) via the Haber-Bosch process, which contributes approximately 1.2% of global annual CO2 emissions. Electrocatalytic urea synthesis under ambient conditions via C-N coupling from CO2 and nitrogen species such as nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen gas (N2) -has gained interest as a more sustainable route. However, challenges remain due to the unclear reaction pathways for urea formation, competing reactions, and the complexity of the resulting product matrix. This review highlights recent advances in catalyst design, urea quantification, and intermediate identification in the C-N coupling reaction for electrocatalytic urea synthesis. Furthermore, this review explores future prospects for industrial C-N coupling, considering potential nitrogen and carbon sources and examining alternative C-N coupling products, such as amides and amines.</p>","PeriodicalId":149,"journal":{"name":"ChemSusChem","volume":" ","pages":"e202402566"},"PeriodicalIF":7.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"ChemSusChem","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202402566","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Urea is an essential fertilizer produced through the industrial synthesis of ammonia (NH3) via the Haber-Bosch process, which contributes approximately 1.2% of global annual CO2 emissions. Electrocatalytic urea synthesis under ambient conditions via C-N coupling from CO2 and nitrogen species such as nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen gas (N2) -has gained interest as a more sustainable route. However, challenges remain due to the unclear reaction pathways for urea formation, competing reactions, and the complexity of the resulting product matrix. This review highlights recent advances in catalyst design, urea quantification, and intermediate identification in the C-N coupling reaction for electrocatalytic urea synthesis. Furthermore, this review explores future prospects for industrial C-N coupling, considering potential nitrogen and carbon sources and examining alternative C-N coupling products, such as amides and amines.
期刊介绍:
ChemSusChem
Impact Factor (2016): 7.226
Scope:
Interdisciplinary journal
Focuses on research at the interface of chemistry and sustainability
Features the best research on sustainability and energy
Areas Covered:
Chemistry
Materials Science
Chemical Engineering
Biotechnology