Nitrosyl cyanide and related aspects of the ONCN potential surface

Abstract

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using the restricted Hartree-Fock approach have been carried out for nitrosyl cyanide and related species on the ONCN potential surface. Full geometry optimizations have been performed with the minimal STO-3G and split-valence 4-31G basis sets. Calculated (4-31G) geometries are in good agreement with available experimental data as are the energy changes in the reactions ONCN → NO + CN and NO + CN → N₂ + CO. Possible mechanisms are discussed.