NMR studies of model hydrodenitrogenation catalysis: acetonitrile hydrogenation on .gamma.-dimolybdenum mononitride

Temperature-programmed reduction of CH{sub 3}CN adsorbed on unsupported, high surface area {gamma}-Mo{sub 2}N is studied in situ by {sup 1}H and {sup 13}c NMR spectroscopy. CH{sub 3}CN adsorbs molecules at 298 K, with a fraction of the adsorbate in a highly mobile state. Upon reduction in flowing H{sub 2}, some of the adsorbed CH{sub 3}CN appears to convert to adsorbed CH{sub 3}CH{sub x}NH{sub y}. Increased reduction temperature leads to cleavage of the C-N bond, leaving only NH{sub 2} fragments on the catalyst surface.