Nitrogen fixation using vaterite particles of CaCO₃ conteining fullerodendrons

Chemical nitrogen fixation have been attracting a great interest in the field of fundamental chemistry and industrial processes. Recently, Nishibayashi and co-workers have reported a new non-metallic process for nitrogen fixation to obtain ammonia in 33% yield by the use of C₆₀:γ-cyclodextrin (1:2) complex and light in homogeneous condition. Meanwhile, we have reported a new fullerodendron which can act as an efficient photosensitizer to generate singlet oxygen. During our studies on the reactivity of the fullerodendron, we found that the direct transformation of N₂ into ammonia (NH ₃) could be achieved using the fullerodendron. Furthermore, when we use vaterite particles of CaCO₃ containing the fullerodendron for nitrogen fixation, the yield of ammonia increased dramatically. This result might be due to better isolation of the fullerene moiety incorporated into vaterite particles of CaCO₃ as compared with the pristine fullerodendron in solution.