Synthesis of Ammonium Cyanate and Urea by Reduction of Nitric Oxide on Platinum, Rhodium, and Ruthenium Catalysts

Abstract
Nearly quantitative conversion of nitric oxide (NO) into N 2 H 4 CO has been obtained in the reduction of NO with carbon monoxide and hydrogen over platinum and rhodium catalysts. Depending on the temperature of collection, N 2 H 4 CO is isolated as ammonium cyanate or its isomer, urea. The process is an effective way of recovering fixed nitrogen from dilute industrial streams containing NO. Ammonium cyanate may play a role in the reduction of NO in automotive exhaust control.