Knowledge Bank

The photolysis of methyl azidoformate in rare-gas matrices near $4\circ K$ has produced unusual results. The infrared spectrum of methyl azidoformate itself, which is of interest because of the large number of bands present in the asymmetric azide stretching region, will be discussed briefly. The spectrum of the photolysis product is characterized by strong bands near $2270cm-1$ and $2210cm-1$. Possible products of the photolysis reaction, consistent with the observed spectrum, will be discussed.