Synthesis and spectroscopy of cyanotriacetylene (HC7N) in solid argon

UV laser irradiations of cryogenic solid argon matrices doped with a mixture of acetylene and cyanodiacetylene (HC5N) resulted in the formation of a longer carbon–nitrogen chain, cyanotriacetylene (HC7N). The identification of this species was accomplished based on IR vibrational spectroscopy (including the study of isotopically labeled compounds), on electronic luminescence spectroscopy, and on theoretical predictions. Additionally, IR absorption bands recognized as due to HC7N were detected in photolysed Ar matrices doped with a cyanoacetylene/diacetylene mixture; this assignment was confirmed with the mass spectrometry of gases released upon the warm-up of the sample