Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Irradiation of {[(CH3)3Si]2N}3Y, Zr[N(C2H5)2]4, and Nb[N(C2H5)2]4 by the 1.064 μm line of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser results in the decomposition of Zr[N(C2H5)2]4 and Nb[N(C2H5)2]4 while {[(CH3)3Si]2N}3Y remains unaffected. The decomposition is photolytic and is accompanied by a visible emission tracing the path of the incident beam. The decomposition products form corresponding carbide/nitrides on pyrolysis in vacuum and nitrides on pyrolysis in an ammonia atmosphere. The spectroscopic investigation of the visible emission, and the pyrolysis of the decomposition products to metal nitrides is described.