The decomposition of nitrogen trichloride photosensitized by chlorine

Abstract

Two transient absorption spectra in the regions of 2400 and 2950 Å, respectively, have been detected as the result of flash photolysing gaseous mixtures of nitrogen trichloride, chlorine and nitrogen. It is established that nitrogen trichloride is a necessary precursor of the spectra and is photosensitively decomposed by the chlorine. Both spectra appeared diffuse when photographed in conjunction with a medium quartz spectrograph. The action of filters on the intensities of the spectra is described. An assignment of NCI and NCl 2 as the carriers of the spectra, and the effects of nitrogen trichloride on the hydrogen-chlorine reaction, are discussed.