Nitrogen isotope enrichment via infrared laser induced isomerization of methyl and ethyl isocyanide

Methyl and ethyl isocyanide undergo isomerization to the corresponding nitriles when irradiated with the focused output of a CO₂ TEA laser. This process is shown to be isotopically selective for nitrogen isotopes when operating pressures are on the order of 1 to 2 torr. At higher pressures thermal isomerization becomes dominant.