Abstract

Chemical activation of dinitrogen (N2) gas is well established via reductive pathways in catalytic, electrochemical, and biochemical modes. In contrast, the possibility of N2 oxidation has only been unambiguously proven under extreme conditions, such as those provided by lightning or plasma discharge. Nevertheless, attempts to oxidize N2 under mild conditions using electroand photo-catalysis are being undertaken and regularly reported to produce putatively positive outcomes. The present article aims to (1) critically assess the actual status of the field of N2 oxidation under close-to-ambient conditions, (2) propose an experimental methodology that substantially decreases the probability of false-positive results, and (3) explore some of the apparently promising approaches to N2 oxidation at temperatures below 100 degrees C. We conclude that no experiments reported so far, including ours, were able to unambiguously prove the possibility of N2 oxidation under mild conditions.