The irradiation of zinc hydroxy azide Zn(OH)_2−x(N₃)_x, fresh and aged both, with a full output from a high pressure mercury arc results in a spontaneous evolution of nitrogen. The photodecomposition has been carried out as a function of intensity, wavelength of light and temperature. The rate of photolysis on prolonged irradiation for about 1000 minutes continuously decreases to a steady state value. Based upon the assumption of exciton formation and their getting trapped at special sites, a kinetic scheme is worked out which leads to linear dependence of the rate on number of special sites and intensity of radiation. Filters have been used to identify the regions of wavelengths to which the compound is sensitive. The rates of photolysis of the aged sample at all intensities are found to be lower than the corresponding rates for the fresh sample.

The mode of decomposition of 2,4,N-trinitro anilino acetic acid [Glycine, N-(2,4 dinitrophenyl), N-nitro] and its methyl and ethyl esters has been determined from a study of the kinetic parameters of their thermal decomposition usingdta, isolation and identification of some of the nonvolatile products of decomposition, and confirmed from a mass spectral study. It is concluded that these compounds decompose through the scission of N−NO₂ bond.

Thermal decomposition characteristics of 2,4 dinitroanilino acetic acid, 2,4,6 trinitro anilino acetic acid and their methyl and ethyl esters have been investigated by DTA. It is concluded from a study of the kinetic parameters of their decomposition, intramolecular hydrogen bonds existing in these compounds and mass spectral fragmentation characteristics of ethyl esters that these compounds decompose by the loss of OH through a cyclic intermediate formed by the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the amino hydrogen atom and ortho nitro group.