The main pathways of the reaction HCCO + NO --> products (1) were investiga
ted at room temperature in the gas phase in Ar at 570 mbar pressure by empl
oying FTIR spectroscopy. Mixtures of NO2-C2H2-NO-Ar were photolysed under s
tationary conditions using a high-pressure Hg lamp at lambda = 312 nm. HCCO
was generated in the reaction system in the reactions NO2 + h nu --> O(P-3
) + NO, O(P-3) + C2H2 --> H + HCCO. The main products of reaction (1) inclu
de CO2, CO, and HCNO. The results can be rationalised with the reaction cha
nnels HCCO + NO --> HCN + CO2 (1a) and HCCO + NO --> HCNO + CO (1d). The br
anching ratios were determined to be k(1a)/k(1) = (0.28 +/- 0.10) and k(1d)
/k(1) = (0.64 +/- 0.12). Formation of HNCO could not be confirmed. Other sp
ecies detected include H2O and MONO. These are formed, together with additi
onal CO, in consecutive reactions of H atoms and OH radicals.