Cyanogen pyrolysis and the CN + NO reaction behind incident shock waves

The reaction chemistry of C₂N₂? Ar and C₂N₂? NO? Ar mixtures has been investigated behind incident shock waves. Progress of the reaction was monitored by observing the cyano radical (CN) in absorption at 388.3 nm. A quantitative spectroscopic model was used to determine concentration histories of CN. From initial slopes of CN concentration during cyanogen pyrolysis, the rate constant for C₂N₂ + M → 2CN + M (1) was determined to be k₁ = (4.11 ± 1.8) × 10¹⁶ exp(?47,070 ± 1400/T) cm³/mol · s. A reaction sequence for the C₂N₂? NO system was developed, and CN profiles were computed. By comparison with experimental CN profiles the rate constant for the reaction CN + NO → NCO + N (3) was determined to be k₃ = 10^{(14.0 ± 0.3)} exp(?21,190 ± 1500/T) cm³/mol · s. In addition, the rate of the four-centered reaction CN + NO → N₂ + CO (2) was estimated to be approximately three orders of magnitude below collision frequency.