Knowledge Bank

Using the technique of matrix-isolation (in conjunction with IR spectroscopy) we photolytically prepared a) hydrogen-bonded complexes between nitroxyl [HNO] and formaldehyde, nitroxyl and methylenemethylamine [$H3C-N=CH2$], b) the unstable trans-methylformate [$HCOOCH3$] from its parent cis-species and c) the previously unknown molecule nitroso-methanol [$H2C$(OH)(NO)] in its cis and trans conformations. With selective excitation (green and red light) the two conformers are reversibly interconvertable. The selective, photolytic preparation of these compounds, the kinetics of this process, and the vibrational analysis are discussed.