Kinetics of the reactions of HCO with H and D atoms

Abstract

AbstractThe rate constants for the reactions HCO+H → products (1) and HCO+D → products (2) were determined at room temperature in an isothermal discharge flow reactor. Atom and radical concentrations in the reactions were monitored using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) for H and D atoms and Far Infrared Laser Magnetic Resonance (FIR‐LMR) and Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) for HCO. The overall rate constants describing the decay of the HCO concentrations with H and D, respectively, were found to be k1=(6.8±2.0)×1013 cm3 mol−1 s−1 and k2=(8.3±2.5)×1013 cm3 mol−1 s−1. The results are discussed assuming a mechanism that allows for parallel reaction pathways via a direct H atom abstraction reaction or via an addition‐elimination reaction through a short‐lived highly vibrationally excited formaldehyde complex.