Yields of singlet nitrenes from halogen atom—azide molecule reactions

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Abstract
Chemiluminescence from the a1Δ and b1Σ+ excited electronic states of nitrogen halide diatomics is observed when HN3 is allowed to react with mixtures of halogen atoms in a discharge‐flow apparatus. Excited NF (a1Δ) is produced by the F + HN3 reaction, and NCl (a1Δ, b1Σ+) and NBr (a1Δ, b1Σ+) are produced by the F, Cl, + HN3 and F, Br + HN3 reactions, respectively. In the low‐density limit, the yield of NF(a1Δ) was found to be near unity. The yields of the b1Σ+ states of NCl and NBr were determined to have a lower limit of ca. 10%. A number of results from these experiments, including direct observation of N3 radicals in the flow, support a hypothetical mechanism in which N3 acts as an intermediate. A second possible mechanism proceeding via an HNF intermediate cannot be ruled out.

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