Structure and properties of the radiation-induced intermediates produced from HCN in noble gas matrices

• Radiolysis of HCN in noble gas matrices was studied by EPR and FTIR spectroscopy.
• Radiolysis leads to formation of CN radical and HNC isomer.
• Reactions of H atoms result in formation of H2CN and trans-HCNH radicals.
• IR absorptions of HCNH radical were characterized from experiment and calculations.
• The temperature dependent dynamics of CN and H2CN radicals was studied by EPR.

In this work we report the results of systematic studies on the radiation-induced transformations in HCN/Ng systems (Ng=Ne, Ar, Kr or Xe) at 7 K using a combination of FTIR and EPR spectroscopy. It was shown that HCN underwent efficient decomposition producing H atoms, CN radicals and HNC isomer. The thermally induced reactions of H atoms in different matrices result in the formation of two isomeric radicals, H2CN and trans-HCNH, the former being predominated. The temperature dependent dynamics of CN and H2CN radicals in a krypton matrix was observed by EPR spectroscopy in solid krypton. The vibrational frequencies, IR intensities and magnetic resonance parameters of H2CN and trans-HCNH radicals calculated at the CCSD(T) level are in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. It was found that HCNH radical could be effectively bleached with visible light. The comparison of experimental and computational data made it possible to assign a new vibrational band at 918 cm−1 in an Ar matrix (and the corresponding bands in Kr and Xe) to trans-HCNH radical. In addition, HKrCN was found in the case of krypton, whereas HXeCN and HXeNC were produced in solid xenon. The reaction mechanisms and contribution of different channels are discussed.