APPLICATION OF COCL2-K GRAPHITE-INTERCALATION COMPOUNDS IN CATALYSIS

The heterostructure of acceptor-donor-type graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) represented by a sequence Of C-K-C-CoCl2-C provides a novel magnetic system of pi, s and d electrons. In this work the successful application Of COCl2-K-GIC as a catalyst in a hydrogenation reaction, e.g. synthesis of ammonia, is reported. The activated CoCl2-K-graphite creates an EDA system which catalyses the formation of ammonia in the range of temperatures from 20 up to 350-degrees-C. At lower temperatures only a weak reduction of Co(II) to Co(0) during synthesis of ammonia is confirmed by XRD. The presence of a sandwich phase is found in the catalyst.