Laser-induced reactions of nitrogen fluorides with nitrogen oxides

Some laser-induced reactions of tetrafluorohydrazine, nitrogentrifluoride with nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, nitrogen dioxide or nitrosyl chloride have been studied. Absorption in the nitrogen fluorides of infrared radiation from a continuous wave carbon dioxide laser initiated a number of reactions. In all cases, the major product was FNO, and when nitrous oxide or nitrogen dioxide were used, FNO2 was also produced. The quantities of the products depended upon laser power and sample pressures. The laser-induced reactions probably proceed through a nonequilibrium thermal process rather than a true multiphoton dissociation, but certain pieces of the data are not totally consistent with this interpretation. A decomposition reaction was induced in CINO through laser absorption by a combination band. Possible mechanisms for the various reactions and the implications of pursuing studies of laser induced chemical processes are discussed.