Catalytic decomposition of 100 ppmv pyridine (C5 H5N) with an Australian limonite ore, composed mainly of goethite (alpha-FeOOH), has been examined for hot gas cleanup with a fixed-bed quartz reactor at 300-500 degrees C under a large space velocity of 51,000h(-1). When alpha-FeOOH in the limonite is reduced with pure H-2 at 500 degrees C, the transformation into nanoscale particles of metallic iron (alpha-Fe) occurs, and the catalyst achieves almost complete C5H5N decomposition in inert He at 500 degrees C and provides an N-2 yield greater than 80% for at least 10 h. The limonite also exhibits a high catalytic activity at 500 degrees C, even without H-2 reduction. Based on the results of N Is X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperatureprogrammed desorption measurements, it is probable that the limonite-catalyzed formation of Ny from pyridine proceeds through cycle mechanisms involving a-Fe and iron nitride species.(C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.