THE PHOTOLYSIS AND THE MERCURY-PHOTOSENSITIZED DECOMPOSITION OF HYDROXYLAMINE VAPOR

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Abstract
The mercury-photosensitized decomposition (2 537 Å) and the direct photolysis of hydroxylamine vapor have been studied at a pressure of 0.27 Torr, at 25 °C. The mercury-sensitized decomposition followed closely the simple stoichiometry, 3NH2OH → N2 + NH3 + 3H2O, which strongly suggests an initial decomposition into NH2 and OH. The direct photolysis was more complex, with N2, H2, and H2O major products, and N2O and NH3 minor ones. The mechanism is uncertain, but it seems probable that the major primary process is NH2OH + hv → NH2O + H. The absorption spectrum of hydroxylamine vapor was examined, and extinction coefficients determined from 2 250 to 1 600 Å. Absorption was continuous, starting about 2 250 Å, with no structure evident except a broad maximum at about 1 825 Å.