Dinitrogen is a robust compound, but reacts at hig altitude to form...

Dinitrogen and dioxygen are the main constituents of air. These gases do not react with each other at a normal temperature. At high altitudes when lightning strikes, they combine to form oxides of nitrogen.

${N}_{2}\left(g\right) + {O}_{2}\left(g\right) \to 2NO\left(g\right)$

NO reacts instantly with oxygen to give NO₂

$2NO\left(g\right) + {O}_{2}\left(g\right) \to 2{NO}_{2}\left(g\right)$

Rate of production of NO₂ is faster when nitric oxide reacts with ozone in the stratosphere

The irritant red haze in the traffic and congested places is due to oxides of nitrogen. Higher concentrations of NO₂ damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis. It is toxic to living tissues also