THE FORMATION OF MOLECULAR-COMPOUNDS FOLLOWING RADIOLYSIS OF SOLID HYDROGEN-CYANIDE

Low-temperature HCN radiolysis (conditions close to those in cosmic sp ace) leads to formation of different molecular compounds; conjugated p olymers [C=N-C=N]n, with conjugated chain growth, are formed (colour c hange orange --> brown --> black). The polymer gives a singlet EPR sig nal typical of polyconjugated systems, and crystals of 1,2-diaminomalo nodinitrile are also formed. Electrical breakdowns and glow are observ ed on freezing the HCN; this is connected with a brittle fracture of H CN crystals leading to electrical charge separation. The freezing out of HCN onto grains of interstellar dust under cosmic conditions would lead to effective coagulation of the dissipated substance at the expen se of electrostatic attraction.