Methods and compositions for direct, simultaneous conversion of nitrogen and natural gas to value-added compounds

A process for synthesizing ammonia, comprising:

• providing a reaction chamber with a heterogeneous catalyst;
• wherein the heterogeneous catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10, Group 11, and combinations thereof;
• wherein the metal is present in an amount from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total weight of the heterogeneous catalyst;
• and a metal oxide support;
• wherein the reaction chamber is a microwave-assisted reactor system operated under reaction pressure of about 2 torr to about 20 atm;
• conveying a flow of a reactant gas mixture into the reaction chamber via an entry port;
• wherein the reactant gas mixture comprises nitrogen and at least one C1-C4 hydrocarbon;
• contacting the reactant gas mixture and the heterogeneous catalyst;
• heating the heterogeneous catalyst using microwave energy, thereby providing a product gas mixture;
• wherein the product gas mixture comprises ammonia, C2-C4 hydrocarbons, aromatics and hydrogen;
• and
• conveying the product gas mixture from the reaction chamber via an exit port.