Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of Cl atoms with HO2 radicals

The kinetic and mechanism of the reaction Cl + HO₂ → products (1) have been studied in the temperature range 230–360 K and at total pressure of 1 Torr of helium using the discharge‐flow mass spectrometric method. The following Arrhenius expression for the total rate constant was obtained either from the kinetics of HO₂ consumption in excess of Cl atoms or from the kinetics of Cl in excess of HO₂: k₁ = (3.8 ± 1.2) × 10^?11 exp(40 ± 90)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, where uncertainties are 95% confidence limits. The temperature‐independent value of k₁ = (4.4 ± 0.6) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 230–360 K, which can be recommended from this study, agrees well with most recent studies and current recommendations. Both OH and ClO were detected as the products of reaction (1) and the rate constant for the channel forming these species, Cl + HO₂ → OH + ClO (1b), has been determined: k_1b = (8.6 ± 3.2) × 10^?11 exp?(660 ± 100)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (with k_1b = (9.4 ± 1.9) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 298 K), where uncertainties represent 95% confidence limits. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 317–327, 2001