The relaxation of HCl(ν = 1) and DCl(ν = 1) by O atoms between 196 and 400 K

The rates of relaxation of HCl(ν = 1) and DCl(ν = 1) by atomic oxygen have been determined between 196 and 400 K using the laser induced vibrational fluorescence method. The values of the rate constants, κ_1,H and κ_1,D, can be matched quite well by Arrhenius expressions: κ_1,H = 6.2 × 10^?12 exp (?1.0₅ kcal mole^?1/RT) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and κ_1,D = 2.9 × 10^?12 exp (?0.5 kcal mole^?1/RT) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The most likely explanation of the absolute and relative magnitudes of these rate constants appears to be that relaxation occurs as a result of non-adiabatic vibronic transitions during collisions.