氮之琐谈

Gossip about Nitrogen

氮元素是空气的主要成分,也是构成有机化合物的重要元素;生命离不开氮元素,化学工业也需要众多含氮化合物作为基础的工业原料。地球上氮元素的循环起始于闪电或生物固氮,而发展节能高效的固氮方法依然是化学家的长期任务。氮氧化物如一氧化氮和二氧化氮等是重要的空气污染源,控制其排放是治理空气污染的重要途径。对含氮有机化合物如氨基酸与蛋白质的研究至关重要,有望为人类揭示生命的奥秘或提供重要的材料如尼龙等。

Nitrogen is the main component of air and an important element for various organic compounds. Nitrogencontaining molecules are indispensable to both life and industry. It is still a long-term task for chemists to develop energy-saving and efficient nitrogen fixation methods. Nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide are notorious molecules causing air pollution. Controlling the emission of nitrogen oxides is an important way to control air pollution. Nitrogencontaining biomolecules such as amino acids and proteins are vital nutrient and executors for numerous life events. Other synthetic nitrogen-containing polymers, like Nylon, are important and useful materials in our daily life.