Yields of O2(b1Σ) from reactions of HO2

A discharge-flow apparatus with resonance fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection has been used to monitor O₂(b ¹σ) production from several reactions of the HO₂ radical at 300 K and 1-torr total pressure. O₂(b), HO₂, and OH were observed when F atoms were added to H₂O₂ in the gas phase. Signal strengths of O₂(b) were proportional to initial concentrations of H₂O₂ and HO₂. These observations were analyzed by using a simple three step mechanism and a more complete computer simulation with 22 reaction steps. The results indicate that the F + HO₂ reaction yields O₂(b) with an efficiency of (3.6 ± 1.4) × 10^?3. By monitoring O₂(b)] and HO₂] upon addition of an excess second reactant to HO₂, O₂(b) yields from the reactions of HO₂ with O, Cl, D, H, and OH were found to be <1 × 10^?2, <5 × 10^?4, <2 × 10^?3, <8 × 10^?3, and <1 × 10^?3, respectively. Yields of O₂(b) from the HO₂ ± HO₂ reaction were found to be less than 3 × 10^?2.