Matrix-Isolation Study of the Infrared and Ultraviolet Spectra of the Free Radical CNN

Abstract

Features appearing at 393, 1241, and 2847 cm⁻¹ after photolysis of matrix‐isolated cyanogen azide with 2100–2800‐Å radiation are shown to exhibit parallel behavior. Isotopic data are consistent with the assignment of these three features as fundamentals of the free radical CNN, produced by the reaction of carbon atoms with molecular nitrogen. Ultraviolet absorptions at 4189 and 3964 Å can also be assigned to CNN. The force constants and thermodynamic properties of CNN have been derived. The carbon—nitrogen bond is found to have approximately triple‐bond character and the nitrogen—nitrogen bond approximately double‐bond character.