AVS 47th International Symposium
    Surface Science Wednesday Sessions
       Session SS-WeP

Paper SS-WeP19
Methyl Nitrite: Potential Intermediate in Methane-assisted Reduction of Nitric Oxide

Wednesday, October 4, 2000, 11:00 am, Room Exhibit Hall C & D

Session: Poster Session
Presenter: L.J. Deiner, Harvard University
Authors: L.J. Deiner, Harvard University
S.W. Wilke, California Institute of Technology
C.M. Friend, Harvard University
Correspondent: Click to Email
Reactions of methyl nitrite (CH@sub 3@ONO) on O-covered Mo(110) were studied in order to determine if methyl nitrite is a possible intermediate in the methane-assisted reduction of NO. The product distribution in temperature programmed reaction studies depends on the coverage of CH@sub 3@ONO. At saturation coverage, there is low temperature desorption of CH@sub 3@ONOand NO (160 K)and high temperature desorption of methyl (CH@sub 3@) radicals (650 K). At low coverage, the only products detected in temperature programmed reaction are CH@sub 3@ radicals at 650 K. Isothermal reaction experiments performed at 100 K and 300 K indicate that N@sub 2@O and NO are evolved directly into the gas phase. At both temperatures, N@sub 2@O evolution occurs first and then decreases rapidly as NO production rises. NO continues to desorb until saturation coverage of CH@sub 3@ONO. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the results of the temperature programmed reaction and isothermal experiments. The infrared spectrum of the low coverage surface displays only one band corresponding to the C-O stretch of methoxy. The infrared spectrum of the saturation coverage surface possesses bands corresponding to intact CH@sub 3@ONO, NO, and methoxy. Upon heating the surface to 450 K, only the methoxy bands remain.