Infrared multiphoton dissociation of DN3 and HN3: Formation and reaction of electronically excited ND

Chemiluminescence is observed from DN₃ at pressures below 100 mtorr following irradiation with the focused output of a CO₂ TEA laser. Emission is attributed to ND₂(²A_I) formed in the reaction ND(a¹Δ) + DN₃ → ND₂ (²A₁) + N₃. The ND(a¹Δ) is produced in the primary photolysis. Time resolved studies of the fluorescence permit determination of the rate constant for the chemiluminescent reaction (2.09 ± 0.31 μs^?1 torr^?1). Multiphoton dissociation of HN₃ by use of a laser wavelength coincident with a hot band absorption is also demonstrated.