A theory of the decomposition of hyponitrites

Abstract

The decomposition of sodium hyponitrite, and the change in the composition of the gases evolved during the decomposition of the hyponitrites of silver, mercury(I), mercury(II), lead, and the alkaline earths, suggest that nitrogen is the primary product and nitrogen oxides secondary. Oxygen is produced and there is evidence for a chain mechanism, so it is presumed that preliminary scission into nitrogen and peroxide (or peroxide-chain) radicals occurs. The peroxide radicals then react to produce oxy-salts and the oxides of nitrogen.

The decomposition of sodium hyponitrate is also described, and the mechanism explained.