Studies in the dinitrogen trioxide system

The chemistry of dinitrogen trioxide is reviewed. By use of an all glass apparatus the equilibrium "between nitrogen dioxide, dinitrogen tetroxide, nitric oxide and dinitrogen trioxide has "been studied in the gas phase "by two methods at 5°, 15°, 25°, 35° and 45°C. The equilibrium constant at each temperature has "been determined over a wide concentration range, enabling thermodynamic constants to "be obtained by extrapolation to zero pressure. Values of Δ S and Δ H are given. The significance of the results is discussed. The melting and freezing points of mixtures of dinitrogen trioxide with dinitrogen tetroxide have been measured at concentrations 70% to 100% N2O3 giving temperatures in the region of -100°C. The freezing point of pure N203 was
obtained by extrapolation. Criticisms of the work are made and suggestions for improvements put forward. Some reactions of the dinitrogen trioxide system have been investigated.