The visible spectrum of gaseous OBrO

Abstract

A new visible absorption spectrum arising from a gaseous transient species in the bromine sensitized decomposition of ozone has been observed. The spectrum shows a series of absorption bands from 400–600 nm superimposed on a continuum, with a maximum absorption near 505 nm and is attributed to the symmetrical bromine oxide, OBrO, possibly formed from the reaction of BrO with O 3. The implications for the partitioning of BrO x in the atmosphere are briefly discussed.