SOLID-STATE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF FAC-CO(NH3)3(NO2)3 AND MER-CO(NH3)3(N3)3 AS THIN-FILMS ON SI(111) SURFACES

The solid state photochemistry of fac-Co(NH3)3NO2)3 and mer-Co(NH3)3(N3)3 have been investigated on Si(111) surfaces. The complex fac-Co(NH3)3(NO2)3 undergoes linkage isomerism as the major observed photoreaction generating a film which contains Co(NH3)3(NO2)(ONO)2. Concomitant with this reaction is the inefficient loss of both NH3 and NO2. Photolysis of mer-Co(NH3)3(N3), led to loss of ammine and the formation of Co(mu-N3)2(N3)4 as the initial photoprocess. Further photolysis resulted in the loss of azide ligands, ultimately producing cobalt, through the intermediacy of species containing bridging azides formulated as oligomers of {Co(mu-N3)2}. The relevance of these results to lithography is discussed.