Infrared Spectra of Intermediate Species in the Formation of Ammonium Azide from Hydrazoic Acid

Infrared spectroscopic studies have been made of the solid formed when the products of the glow-discharge decomposition of hydrazoic acid are condensed on a surface cooled to 90°K. Spectra were obtained at several temperatures as the solid was allowed to warm to 230°K. The solid shows absorptions attributed to HN3, NH4N3, and NH3, and to two intermediate species in the reaction. These intermediates are interpreted to be N2H2 and (NH)x, where x may be equal to 4. The presence of the imine radical, NH, in the solid at 90°K is inferred.