Depletion kinetics of low-lying states of tungsten in the presence of NO,N2O,and SO2

The gas-phase reactivities of W(a⁵D_J, a⁷S₃) with N₂O, SO₂, and NO in the temperature range of 295–573 K are reported. Tungsten atoms produced by the photodissociation of W(CO)₆. The tungsten atoms were detected by a laser-induced fluorescence technique. The removal rate constants for the 6s²5d⁴ a⁵D_l states were found to be pressure dependent for all of the reactants. Removal rate constants for the 6s¹5d⁵ a⁷S₃ state were found to be fast compared to the a⁵D_J states and often approached the gas kinetic rate constant. The reaction rates for all the states were found to be pressure independent with respect to the total pressure. Results are discussed in terms of the different electronic configurations of the states of tungsten © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 367–375 1997