Ab initio study of hydrazoic acid

SCF and CI calculations were carried out on the ground^1A state of HN₃. The equilibrium geometry and vibration frequencies were computed. The results point to a planar structure (groupC _s) but to a non-linear (170 °) N-N-N conformation. The calculated vibration frequencies are in fair agreement with experimental assignments.The dissociation path of the molecule to NH and N₂ products was investigated and compared to the isoelectronic reaction of diazomethane. The dissociation energy of hydrazoic acid is estimated to be about –8 kcal/mole, with a potential barrier to dissociation of about 30 kcal/mole.Boursier IRSIA