Photochemical Studies. XXVII. The Effect of Radiation on Mixtures of Nitrogen Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide and its Relationship to the Photochemical Decomposition of Nitrous Oxide

Abstract
Oxygen atoms were produced in NO2–N2O mixtures by the photochemical decomposition of NO2 alone. No reaction of these atoms with N2O could be detected. Results of calculations give a minimum activation energy of 14,000 cal. for the reaction O+N2O = 2 NO and a probable maximum activation energy of 24,000 cal. The activation energy of the reaction O+NO2 = NO+O2 is estimated to be 4000 cal. It is concluded that two primary processes are necessary to explain the direct photochemical decomposition of N2O, N2O+hv = N2+O and N2O+hv = NO+N. The latter reaction must be followed by N+N2O = NO+N2 to explain previously determined quantum yields. The energy of activation of this reaction is probably less than 10,000 cal.

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