PHOTOLYSIS OF N-NITROSAMINES IN NEUTRAL MEDIA

The photolysis of N-nitrosamines in solutions of acetonitrile follows a first-order reaction with respect to the concentration of nitrosamine. Quantum yields are very low (almost-equal-to 0.1) and depend on the concentration of nitrosamine, with the observation of a linear correlation between the reciprocal of quantum yield and the reciprocal of nitrosamine concentration. For all the nitrosamines studied, the final product of the photolysis appears to be unique, alkylidenimine, which in the case of nitroso methyl benzyl amine undergoes a relatively rapid hydrolysis, giving rise to benzaldehyde, following second order kinetics. A provisional model consistent with the experimental results obtained in this work is proposed.