Reactions of Laser-Ablated Niobium, Tantalum, and Rhenium Atoms with Nitrogen Atoms and Molecules. Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations of the Metal Nitride and Dinitride Molecules

Laser-ablated niobium, tantalum, and rhenium atoms have been reacted with nitrogen atoms and molecules during condensation in excess argon and in pure nitrogen gas. Metal nitride molecules NbN, TaN, ReN, and their dinitrogen complexes were trapped and identified by nitrogen isotopic shifts and DFT frequency calculations. The NbN 2 and TaN 2 dinitride molecules were produced on annealing in solid nitrogen and on deposition and increased on photolysis in solid argon. Metal dinitrogen complexes were also observed for each metal.