Effect of temperature on toxicity and biodegradability of dissolved organic nitrogen formed during hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass.

This study investigated the nutrient content and reuse potential of wastewater generated during hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgal biomass. The hydrothermal liquefaction reaction was tested at 270, 300, 330, and 345 °C to determine the effect of temperature on the formation of non-biodegradable dissolved organic nitrogen (nbDON). Total nitrogen, ammonium, color, and toxicity were selected as key characteristics for the reuse of hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater. Results indicated that a higher concentration of nbDON5 (nbDON defined with a 5 day growth assay) and more diverse heterocyclic N-containing organic compounds were associated with greater toxicity as measured by a growth rate assay. For the tested temperature ranges, the total nitrogen content of the hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater slightly decreased from 5020 ±â€¯690 mg L-1 to 4160 ±â€¯120 mg L-1, but the % nbDON5 fraction increased from 57 ±â€¯3 %DON to 96 ±â€¯5 %DON. The temperature of hydrothermal liquefaction reactions can be optimized to maximize carbon conversion and nitrogen recovery.

Direct transformation of dinitrogen: synthesis of N-containing organic compounds via N-C bond formation.

N-containing organic compounds are of vital importance to lives. Practical synthesis of valuable N-containing organic compounds directly from dinitrogen (N2), not through ammonia (NH3), is a holy-grail in chemistry and chemical industry. An essential step for this transformation is the functionalization of the activated N2 units/ligands to generate N-C bonds. Pioneering works of transition metal-mediated direct conversion of N2 into organic compounds via N-C bond formation at metal-dinitrogen [N2-M] complexes have generated diversified coordination modes and laid the foundation of understanding for the N-C bond formation mechanism. This review summarizes those major achievements and is organized by the coordination modes of the [N2-M] complexes (end-on, side-on, end-on-side-on, etc.) that are involved in the N-C bond formation steps, and each part is arranged in terms of reaction types (N-alkylation, N-acylation, cycloaddition, insertion, etc.) between [N2-M] complexes and carbon-based substrates. Additionally, earlier works on one-pot synthesis of organic compounds from N2 via ill-defined intermediates are also briefed. Although almost all of the syntheses of N-containing organic compounds via direct transformation of N2 so far in the literature are realized in homogeneous stoichiometric thermochemical reaction systems and are discussed here in detail, the sporadically reported syntheses involving photochemical, electrochemical, heterogeneous thermo-catalytic reactions, if any, are also mentioned. This review aims to provide readers with an in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art and perspectives of future research particularly in direct catalytic and efficient conversion of N2 into N-containing organic compounds under mild conditions, and to stimulate more research efforts to tackle this long-standing and grand scientific challenge.