Photodissociation of pernitric acid (HO2NO2) at 248 nm

The photodissociation of pernitric acid (PNA) was studied at 248 nm. The quantum yield for production of OH radicals is 34 + or - 16 percent. The yield of OH from PNA was measured relative to that of H2O2. The translational and rotational energy content of the OH photofragment from PNA was characterized. A fluorescent emission was also observed and characterized. It is attributed to electronically excited NO2 produced in the PNA photodissociation. A maximum yield of 30 percent for NO2 production was determined. The intensity of this emission, and a mass spectrometric peak at m/e = 33, were found to be useful means of characterizing the purity of the PNA sample.