Photochemistry of dinitrogen pentaoxide in low-temperature matrices

Abstract

A combination of matrix isolation and FTIR spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the low-temperature photochemistry (4.2 K) of dinitrogen pentaoxide. UV photolysis of the matrix isolated precursor (MR = 1/1000) at λ > 230 nm resulted in the photoreduction of N₂O₅ to N₂O via N₂O₃ as an intermediate. Both, asym- and sym-N₂O₃ were formed in argon matrices, whereas in solid nitrogen only asym-N₂O₃ was produced. Little or no evidence for the formation of isomeric forms of N₂O₄ was found. Possible photochemical pathways are discussed.