Matrix-isolation infrared investigation of the flash vacuum thermolysis of norbornadienone azine

Abstract The flash vacuum thermolysis of norbornadienone azine over the temperature range 300 to 800°C was investigated by matrixisolation IR methods. The following thermolysis products could be identified: isocyanogen, cyanogen, benzene, benzonitrile and hydrogen cyanide. A tentative assignment of the infrared-active ν 2 stretching vibration of diisocyanogen, CNNC, in an argon matrix is made. The peak positions of four fundamentals (ν 1 to ν 4 ) of isocyanogen, CNCN, and of two stretching fundamentals (ν 1 and ν 2 ) of 13 CNCN, CN 13 CN, C 15 NCN and CNC 15 N in an argon matrix were measured. Combination bands yielded a value for ν 5 of CNCN. A molecular force field for CNCN was determined.