Atomic hydrogen as a reducing agent

Atomic hydrogen is a powerful chemical reducing agent. It may be used to perform reductions at lower temperatures than those achieved in molecular hydrogen, and since it is electrically neutral it is not subject to shielding effects. Because of the contradictory results reported in the literature, an investigation was undertaken to determine optimum ways to produce and transfer atomic species. It is concluded that electrodeless discharge is the most reliable way of production, and that, although Teflon and phosphoric acid coated glass have very low catalytic activities toward recombination, Pyrex and quartz are satisfactory container materials. Reduction temperatures in both molecular and atomic hydrogen were established for a variety of oxides, and the latter were found to be substantially lower. Finally, the advantages and limitations of atomic hydrogen as a reducing agent are considered.