Photochemical decomposition of gaseous hydrogen azide
Abstract
The photochemical decomposition of HN3 has been investigated at room temperature (25 ± 3°C) and with 2139 Å radiation. The decomposition leads to NH and N2, both of which are also vibrationally excited and are capable of causing further decomposition of HN3. The vibrational energy of both NH′ and N′2, but not the electronic energy of NH, are removed by collision with CO2. The hydrocarbons (i-C4H10 and C2H6) also deactivate N′2 and remove NH′ by chemical reactions. The detailed mechanism is discussed and ratios of relevant rate constant derived. It has been shown that (a) occurs to the extent of (95–97 %), while (b) occurs to the extent of (5-3 %) :HN3+hv(λ= 2139 Å)→NH′+ N′2, (a), HN3+hv→H + N3(b).