| Abstract: | Whilst mono(silyl)triazenes R′N=N---NR′(SiR3) and organyl triazenes R′N=N---NR′2 are of comparable thermal stability and decay by a radical reaction, bis(silyl)triazenes R′N=N---N(SiR3)2 (R′=aryl, R=Me, Et, OMe) decompose at room temperature in a non-radical reaction to yield amines R′N(SiR3)2 and nitrogen. Kinetic investigations of the mechanism of the non-radical thermolysis of triazenes show that the rate of the thermolysis of R′N=N---N(SiR3)2 is determined both from an isomerisation equilibrium forming (R3Si)R′N---N=N(SiR3) and from the rate of decomposition of this compound to the thermolysis products. Tris(silyl)triazenes, (R3Si)2N---N=N(SiR3), hitherto not synthesized, are expected to be even more unstable than the bis(silyl)triazenes which have been examined by us. |
