Due to its stability nitrogen is often employed as an inert gas during catalytic reactions. Now, a study shows that N2 can act as promoter for the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of p-cresol on supported ruthenium catalysts through the formation of hydrogenated nitrogen species acting as a source of protic hydrogen.
- Haohong Duan
- Jin-Cheng Liu
- Dermot O’Hare