Mass-spectrometric determination of product branching probabilities for the NH2 + NO2 reaction at temperatures between 300 and 990 K

The product branching ratio, α, for N₂O formation in the reaction of NH₂ with NO₂ has been studied by mass spectrometry at seven temperatures between 300 and 990 K. The value of α was determined by kinetic modeling of the absolute yield of N₂O. α was found to be 0.19 ± 0.02 without significant temperature dependence, assuming the total rate constant for NH₂ + NO₂ to be k_t = 1.8 × 10⁻¹² × T^0.11 exp (+ 597/T) cm³/molecule·s in the temperature range studied. The effect of k_t on α has been discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Inc.