Kinetics of the reactions of Cl atoms with CH3Br and CH2Br2

The rate coefficients for the reactions of Cl atoms with CH₃Br, (k₁) and CH₂Br₂, (k₂) were measured as functions of temperature by generating Cl atoms via 308 nm laser photolysis of Cl₂ and measuring their temporal profiles via resonance fluorescence detection. The measured rate coefficients were: k₁ = (1.55 ± 0.18) × 10^?11 exp{(?1070 ± 50)/T} and k₂ = (6.37 ± 0.55) × 10^?12 exp{(?810 ± 50)/T} cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The possible interference of the reaction of CH₂Br product with Cl₂ in the measurement of k₁ was assessed from the temporal profiles of Cl at high concentrations of Cl₂ at 298 K. The rate coefficient at 298 K for the CH₂Br + Cl₂ reaction was derived to be (5.36 ± 0.56) × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Based on the values of k₁ and k₂, it is deduced that global atmospheric lifetimes for CH₃Br and CH₂Br₂ are unlikely to be affected by loss via reaction with Cl atoms. In the marine boundary layer, the loss via reaction (1) may be significant if the Cl concentrations are high. If found to be true, the contribution from oceans to the overall CH₃Br budget may be less than what is currently assumed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.