Generation of nitric oxide by photolysis of silver hyponitrite in suspension induced by LMCT excitation

The yellow colour of silver hyponitrite is attributed to an LMCT band at λmax = 419 nm. Solid Ag2N2O2 and its suspensions in water or acetonitrile are light sensitive. LMCT excitation leads to a photolysis according to the equation Ag2N2O2 → 2Ag + 2NO. In the presence of air and water, NO is finally converted to HNO2.