Reactions of recoil 13N atoms in the gas phase

Recoil reactions of 13N atoms in CO2, N2, O2, N2O, and NO were studied. Recoil nitrogen atoms were generated by the 12C(d, n)13N reaction using CO2 as the target molecule. The only products observed were 13NN and 13NNO. Other products sought but not detected were NO, NO2, and CN radicals. The 13NN formation with added N2 is attributed to an exchange reaction involving translationally excited nitrogen atoms with nitrogen molecules. The 13NNO yield is independent of CO2 concentration; however, it increases rapidly with the addition of O2. This increase, along with an equal decrease in the 13NN yield, is explained by the reaction of excited nitrogen molecules (13NN*) with O2. It is concluded that recoil 13N atoms do not react directly with CO2.