On the fate of laser-produced NH2 in a constrained pulsed expansion of trimethylamine alane and NH3

The effects of both 193 nm radiation and NH3 on an expansion of trimethylamine alane (TMAA) have been studied. In neat TMAA, 193 nm radiation induces small but significant clustering. When NH3 is introduced in the absence of 193 nm photons, no visible reaction occurs. However, when NH3 is introduced along with 193 nm photons, the H3Al:N(CH3)3 parent molecule is completely replaced by H3AlNH2. Moreover, the clustering channels observed with neat TMAA disappear. The apparent stability or inertness of the R3MNH2 (R=H, CH3 or C2H5; M=Ga or Al) species in a variety of metal nitride reactive environments is discussed.