Pyrolysis of cyanogen halides in the shock tube. Part 1.—Cyanogen bromide in argon diluent

Abstract

Measurements of the intensity of thermal emission from CN radicals formed when BrCN is pyrolysed have been compared to intensity profiles computed by integrating the kinetic rate equations. For mixtures with 5% or more of BrCN pyrolysis occurs by a simple chain mechanism; rate constants have been found for BrCN + M → Br + CN + M, BrCN + Br → Br₂+ CN and BrCN + CN → C₂N₂+ Br. For lean mixtures higher rates and a low activation energy are observed, and a complex chain branching mechanism involving an energy chain in vibrationally excited cyanogen is proposed.