Early 3d transition metals, such as Ti, V, or Nb are known to be inactive for the Haber‐Bosch process, due to their strong M−N bonds. However, recently some hydride compounds have been found to effectively counteract this effect, imparting catalytic activity on a wide range of elements. With these hydride catalysts, hydride (and nitride) bulk diffusion mechanisms have been proposed; if so, more open structures should enhance their activity. Here, we expand the study to hydrides of other early transition metals, V and Nb. These metals benefit from body‐centered cubic (bcc) related structures which enhance hydride diffusion, in addition to having relatively lower M−N bond strengths. The activity of vanadium hydride, most likely with an active composition of VH0.44N0.16, is superior to the previously reported BaTiO2.5H0.5, and comparable to TiH2 and Cs−Ru/MgO at 400 °C under 5 MPa. These results show that there is more potential for developing new single‐phase hydride catalysts of previously overlooked elements without sacrificing activity.

Maternal sepsis is an unusual but catastrophic complication of amniocentesis. We report a case of successful treatment of maternal septic shock and multiple organ failure following amniocentesis at midgestation, possibly due to needle puncture of the sigmoid colon, which was tightly adherent to the anterior surface of the pregnant uterus.