CN emission in the reaction of active nitrogen with nitromethane

Abstract

Chemiluminescence from the CN radical in the reaction of active nitrogen with nitromethane has been studied as a function of reactant concentration. Only emission from the CN violet system was observed. Its intensity depended on the square of the N(⁴S) concentration and the first power of the nitromethane concentration. The effects of various quenchers and the kinetic behaviour of the chemiluminescence indicate that CN(B ²∑⁺) ultimately results from recombination of N(⁴S) rather than energy transfer from N₂(A³∑⁺_u). The quenching behaviour and the vibrational energy distribution in the chemiluminescence indicate that the excited CN radicals are formed in the reaction N + CH → CN (B∑⁺)+ H.

The concentration of the organic precursor to CH is controlled by a different reaction, which is probably bimolecular.