Vibrational energy relaxation of the cyanide ion in aqueous solution

Abstract

Vibrational energy relaxation (T1) of the CN− ion is reported for NaCN in saturated H2O/D2O and dilute H2O solutions at room temperature. Time domain measurements of the v = 1, 2080 cm−1 vibration shown T1 is on the order of a few picoseconds. The relaxation time increases with dilution and is apparently sensitive to cation (Na+,K+) and local solution structure.