Relative rates of reaction of hydroxyl radicals with O(3P) atoms and CO molecules

The rates of decay of O(³P) atoms in H₂/CO/N₂ mixtures in a discharge flow system have been measured, using O + CO chemiluminescence. The mechanism is: O + H₂ → OH + H (1), O + OH → O₂ + H (2), CO + OH → CO₂ + H (3). At 425 K, k₂/k₃ = 260 ± 20; literature values of k₃ combine to yield k₂ = (2.65 ± 0.52) × 10¹⁰ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1.