Decomposition of pentaammineaquacobalt(III) perchlorate under laser radiation action

Photolytic decomposition of the complex [Co(NH3)5(H2O)](ClO4)3 under the action of a laser with a wavelength of 355 nm, which is resonant in energy to the energy of the (1 A 1g → 1 T 2g ) d–d transition, was studied. Decomposition of the complex is accompanied by a release of ammonia with its subsequent oxidation to nitrogen oxides and by partial cobalt reduction with the formation of the mixed cobalt(II, III) oxide Co3O4.