The major
isomer of dinitrogen trioxide molecule contains an
N–N bond. One of the numerous
resonant structures of the molecule of dinitrogen trioxide is , which can be described as a
nitroso group attached to a
nitro group by a
single bond between the two
nitrogen atoms. Similar to
nitronium nitrate, this molecule can also co-exist in equilibrium with an ionic gas called nitrosonium nitrite ([NO]+[NO2]–) Typically, N–N bonds are similar in length to that in
hydrazine (145
pm). Dinitrogen trioxide, however, has an unusually long N–N bond at 186 pm. Some other
nitrogen oxides also possess long N–N bonds, including
dinitrogen tetroxide (175 pm). The molecule is
planar and exhibits
Cs symmetry. The dimensions displayed on the picture below come from
microwave spectroscopy of
low-temperature,
gaseous : == References ==