Thermochemical ammonia and hydrocarbons

A method of producing a compound comprising a non-metal D and hydrogen comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a solid reactant material having the general formula AEMDn-δOm-ε wherein A is a cation, E is an optional anion or anionic group or electrons providing electroneutrality of the solid reactant material, M is a transition metal, non-metal D is carbon, and O is oxygen, where n and m are >0, n>δ≥0, and m>ε≥0, wherein the solid reactant material is provided in a filled state, in which n−δ is maximized and m−ε is minimized, said transition metal, said non-metal D, said oxygen, and, optionally, said cation forming a crystal lattice;
• (b) reacting said solid reactant material with steam at a pressure of less than 10 atm and a temperature of at least 200° C. to remove at least a portion of said non-metal D from said crystal lattice and produce said compound and a spent reactant material in an empty state, in which n−δ is minimized and m−ε is maximized, said spent reactant material having a lower ratio of said non-metal D to said oxygen than said solid reactant material;
• and
• (c) regenerating said solid reactant material by reacting said spent reactant material with a gaseous compound comprising said non-metal D,
• wherein during step (b), O atoms are added to said crystal lattice while said portion of said non-metal D is removed from said crystal lattice,
• wherein during step (c) atoms of said non-metal D are added to said crystal lattice while atoms of O are removed from said crystal lattice.