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Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.110, No.11, 3853-3856, 2006
Evidence for the production of N-4 via the N-2 A(3)Sigma(+)(u)+N-2 A(3)Sigma(+)(u) energy pooling reaction
We report mass spectrometric evidence supporting our proposed mechanistic pathway for the production of N-4 through the energy pooling reaction N-2 A(3)Sigma(u)(+) + N-2 A(3)Sigma(u)(+). N-2 A(3)Sigma(u)(+) is generated from the quenching of resonantly excited xenon in a mixture of xenon, N-15(2), and N-14(2) that is illuminated with xenon resonant lamps (147 nm). Mass spectra are periodically taken of the mixture. Over time, we observe significant isotopic scrambling of the N-15(2) and N-14(2), generating (NN)-N-15-N-14 in concentrations approaching 10% (similar to 2 Tort) of the initial N-15(2) concentration. Though we do not observe the direct formation of N-4, the isotopic ratios indicate that an excited complex (N-15(2) N-14(2)) exists long enough so that scrambling of the nitrogen atoms can occur, offering a possible route to the formation of tetrahedral nitrogen (T-1(d) N-4).