Mechanism of the azide–bromine reaction in aqueous medium

Results on the oxidation of N by Br₂ in neutral and acid media are presented. The rate of the reaction is found to be proportional to [N] and [Br₂]. The gaseous product of oxidation is found to be pure nitrogen. The stoichiometry of the reaction is The reaction shows a positive salt effect. It is found that the addition of Br^? stabilizes the complex BrN₃, which decomposes into Br^? and N₂: The spectroscopic measurements also support the kinetic observation. The equilibrium constant K, the rate constants and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated. It is observed that H⁺ ion inhibits the reaction. The mechanism is discussed in terms of the kinetic results.