Interaction of molecular nitrogen with alkali metals

Abstract

1. In π-complexes LiNNn2, together with a stable electronic state, in which molecular nitrogen is in an inactivated form (K-state), stabilization of the electronic states in which the N-N bond is highly “loosened” (L-, M-states) is possible. 2. An analysis of the distribution of electron density in the complexes, for which L-, M-states are realized, together with the experimental data on the IR spectra, permitted us to conclude that the L- and M-states can be described as the result of one- or two-electron reduction of nitrogen in the complexes.