Structure and Physical Properties of Nitrous Oxide

Molecular Structure and Physical Properties of Nitrous Oxide 

N20 is a linear molecule, with an electron structure that can be described by the following three resonance forms [13]  

The N-oxide form A provides the main contribution to the structure. Table 7.1 presents the effective atomic charges in form A. An opposite distribution of charges in the N20 resonance forms explains the relatively low dipole moment of the molecule (1.161 dB). Bond lengths in N20 are N—N = 1.128 A and N—O = 1.184 A, which correspond to bond orders of 2.73 and 1.61, respectively [13]. 

Form C is a 1,3-dipole. Owing to this feature N20 can perform a very specific type of oxidation involving its cydoaddition to alkenes, which will be discussed later. 

Nitrous oxide was discovered by J. Priestly at the end of the eighteenth century. In 1800, aged 21, H. Davy published a 580-page book entitled Nitrous Oxide, or De-Phlogisticated Nitrous Air, and its Respiration, in which he described his experiments 

---